Original Version

Hong-Cai Zhou and colleagues note that lack of an effective, economical and safe on-board storage system for methane gas has been one of the major hurdles preventing methane-driven automobiles from competing with traditional ones.

Methane stands out among various alternative fuels when its profusion and availability are considered. However, the lack of an effective, economic and safe on-board storage system is one of the major technical barriers preventing methane-driven automobiles from competing with the traditional ones, say the study authors.

Recently, highly-porous, crystalline materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising storage materials due to their high surface areas. However, none of the MOF compounds have reached DOE target levels considered practical for fuel storage applications, the scientists say.  

The report describes development of a new type of MOF, called PCN-14, that has a high surface area of over 2000 m2/g. Laboratory studies show that the compound, composed of clusters of nano-sized cages, has a methane storage capacity 28 percent higher than the DOE target, a record high for methane-storage materials, the researchers say.

Our Version

Vehicles may soon run on methane

For many years, scientists investigating the possibilities of methane-powered cars, have been wrestling with the problems of finding a storage system for a vehicle that is effective, economically viable, and most of all safe.

If these problems can be mastered, methane may well be the most viable alternative fuel for cars and other vehicles. One reason for this is availability; it is naturally produced and very cheap.

These technical hurdles have been the only reason that methane-burning cars have not yet been seen on our roads. Now, scientist Hong-Cai Zhou and his associates have produced a study tackling these issues.

The answer may be found in something called metal-organic frameworks (known as MOFs).  These are crystalline substances that are very highly porous. These MOF’s the study concludes may well be a viable storage unit for methane in vehicles, because of their large surface areas.

Hong-Cai Zhou stated that, unfortunately, the MOFs that have been tested so far have failed to reach required DOE levels needed for viable on-board fuel storage.

This new report does, however, consider developing a new material called PCN-14, a new variant of MOF, which is said to have a very high surface area exceeding 2000 m2/g.

Laboratory testing of the new product has shown that this compound, which is made up of tiny clusters of nano-sized units, will have a methane storage capacity 28% greater than DOE-required limits.