Ammonia-based hydrogen source for fuel cell applications

Generation of hydrogen from the reaction of ammonia ( NH 3 ) with magnesium hydride ( MgH 2 ) was studied. Experiments were conducted at near ambient temperatures (75– 150 ∘ C ), which are lower than that required by ammonia cracking and/or metal hydride thermal decomposition reactions. Effects of selected catalysts/promoters for the production of hydrogen by the NH 3 – MgH 2 reaction were evaluated. Addition of ammonium chloride ( NH 4 Cl ) accelerated the NH 3 – MgH 2 reaction. MgH 2 doped with either PdCl 2 or PtCl 4 also showed increased reactivity towards NH 3 for H 2 production in the presence of NH 4 Cl . Results from this study demonstrated the feasibility of hydrogen production from ammonia-based reactions in support of potable hydrogen fuel cells. These preliminary results warrant further systematic studies to elucidate the activation mechanism of PdCl 2 or PtCl 4 as catalysts, as well as the role of NH 4 Cl as an additive, a reactant and/or a catalyst in the reaction system of interest.