Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Synthesis of functionalized geopolymers for onboard hydrogen storage enhanced by artificial intelligence Julieth Kakwaya 1 , Lenganji Simwanda 2 , Makungu Madirisha 1 , Regina Mtei 1 , Umit Demirci 3 1 Chemistry Department, University of Dar es Salaam, 2 Department of Structural Reliability, Czech Technical University in Prague, 3 Institut Europeen des Membranes, Univ Montpellier E-mail: julieth.kakwaya@udsm.ac.tz The urgent need for clean and sustainable energy is driven by the negative environmental impact of fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. Since 1880, global temperatures have risen by approximately 1 °C, with projected increases of 1.5 °C by 2050 and 2 to 4 °C by 2100. These changes contribute to rising sea levels, melting glaciers, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. Additionally, growing energy demand strains fossil fuel supplies and threatens energy security. Transitioning to clean and sustainable energy is essential, and hydrogen, with high energy content and clean burning properties, offers a promising alternative. However, its lightness poses storage challenges, prompting research into material-based solutions. Geopolymers, characterized by their high surface area, porosity, and customizable surface chemistry, show significant promise as effective materials for hydrogen storage. They exhibit greater hydrogen adsorption capacities than traditional materials like carbon nanofibers, with metakaolin based alkali geopolymers demonstrating hydrogen adsorption capacities of up to 1.49 wt%. However, despite this potential, the application of geopolymers for hydrogen storage remains underexplored. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence to optimize the synthesis process and enhance the efficiency of adsorption and desorption mechanisms in geopolymers has not been adequately addressed. This paper proposes the synthesis of functionalized geopolymers specifically optimized for onboard hydrogen storage, employing artificial intelligence to systematically analyze and predict optimal conditions for enhanced performance. By utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, the research aims to refine the synthesis process, boost hydrogen adsorption capacities, and improve desorption efficiency. This innovative approach is expected to contribute significantly to the effective utilization of hydrogen as a clean energy source, thereby aligning with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Key words: Adsorption, Artificial intelligence, Geopolymers, Hydrogen storage, Sustainable energy References 1. Ahad, M. T., et al. (2023). “An overview of challenges for the future of hydrogen.” Materials 16(20): 6680. 2. Amirthan, T. and M. Perera (2022). “The role of storage systems in hydrogen economy: A review.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 108: 104843. 3. Bai, C. and P. Colombo (2018). “Processing, properties and applications of highly porous geopolymers: A review.” Ceramics International 44(14): 16103-16118 4. Shanmugam, A. and L. Gunasekaran (2015). “Synthesis of metakaolin alkali based geopolymer for Hydrogen adsorption study.”
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