Hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) are a type of lightweight material that have been studied for their potential application in hydrogen gas storage. Hydrogen has been identified as a promising alternative fuel source, but it is difficult to store due to its low density and high reactivity. HGMs, with their high surface area and low density, have the potential to overcome some of the challenges of hydrogen storage.
Hollow glass microspheres can be used as a support material for metal hydrides, which are compounds that can store hydrogen in a solid state. The hollow glass microspheres provide a high surface area for the metal hydride to adhere to, which increases the storage capacity of the material. The hollow nature of the HGMs also allows for the easy diffusion of hydrogen into and out of the material, which is critical for efficient storage and release of the gas.
Research has shown that hollow glass microspheres can significantly improve the hydrogen storage capacity of metal hydrides. Additionally, HGMs have the advantage of being lightweight and easy to handle, making them attractive for use in portable hydrogen storage applications.