Effects of Aluminum Particle Size, Galinstan Content and Reaction Temperature on Hydrogen Generation Rate Using Activated Aluminum and Water

Abstract

Aluminum, in its normal passive oxidized state, does not react with water. In this work, aluminum activation is carried out using liquid metal eutectics Ga-In-Sn-Zn (60:25:10:5). Subsequently, the reaction with water of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen has been examined. The effects of aluminum particle size, liquid eutectics content, and reaction temperature on hydrogen production rates are investigated. The liquid eutectics interaction with aluminum is discussed and the mechanisms of liquid eutectics penetration within the Al particles have been investigated. The specific surface area of the Al particles, the mass ratio of Al to eutectics content and the reaction temperature were found to determine the hydrogen production rate and yield. It is observed that micro-aluminum particles of ~30 µm size display lower reaction rates and hydrogen yields than ~350 µm size particles.