An aluminum alloy for generation of hydrogen from water

An optimized method of hydrogen production using an aluminum alloy with a small addition of Ga, In, and Sn is described. The alloy (95% Al and 5% Ga, In, and Sn) exhibits high chemical activity while reacting with water; the reaction results in the generation of free hydrogen. The microstructure and phase composition of the alloy are studied. It was found that a slight deviation of the content of Ga, In, and Sn from the proportion 3: 1: 1 does not exert a decisive influence on the chemical activity of the alloy. The technology of the alloy preparation is much more important. The annealing repeated twice leads to the formation of a fine porous structure with a substantially developed surface area. This results in the extremely high efficiency of the hydrogen yield.