Patent ID: 6528441
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B01J,C01B,F17C,H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for making a composition for use in storing hydrogen, said process comprising the steps of:mixing approximately two to five parts ethanol to one part water to form a first mixture; adjusting the pH of said first mixture into the range of approximately 1.0 to 2.5; mixing approximately one part ethanol to two parts tetraethoxysilane to form a second mixture; adding said first mixture to said second mixture to form a sol; mixing particles of a metal hydride with said sol to form a third mixture, said hydride particles being capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen, said hydride particles being less than approximately 100 &mgr;m in size, said metal hydride particles being made of a Laâ€”Niâ€”Al alloy; gelling said third mixture at room temperature to form a gel; and drying said gel to form an aerogel having said metal hydride particles uniformly dispersed therein.