An air chargeable hydrogen battery by reversible electrochemical trapping of the protons

Abstract

We show an air-chargeable hydrogen battery chemistry wherein the two major aspects of hydrogen economy such as hydrogen storage and its utilization are combined in a single device. During the discharge chemistry, the battery electrochemically traps the protons in a hydrogen-carrying quinone moiety while delivering electric power. The redox energy positioning of molecular oxygen above that of the reversible proton-coupled electron transfer in the quinone moiety uniquely allows the charging of the battery with ambient air during concomitant electrical power production. The prospects of charging the battery with ambient air without the necessity of an external voltage will be immensely useful for isolated/rural areas and military operations in challenging geography.