CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF METAL HYDRIDES.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0025-5408(80)90053-7

It is found that a series of metal hydrides (hydrogen storage materials) such as LaNi//5 or related materials catalyze a water synthesis reaction in the presence of oxygen at room temperature. The speed of the reaction can be influenced by chemical substitution. In some cases the bulk of the reaction occurs in a matter of seconds. The reaction is repeatable, as the hydride is regenerable. The essence of these findings is that transition metals such as Ni, Co or Fe in the presence of yet more electropositive metals such as La or Ti can have ″catalytic″ properties analogous to such noble metals as Pt. The findings also rekindle the hope for catalytic activity around ambient conditions for such important reactions as methanation and ammonia synthesis. Also, wide implications for such fields as fuel cells, isotope separation, self-cleaning of hydrogen storage materials, etc. , appear indicated.