IISER Researchers Develop Solid That Releases Hydrogen and Methane on Heating

Crystals of a compound developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, released both hydrogen and methane when heated without a solvent at 80-110° C.

The compound, called magnesium hydridomethylzincate, contains magnesium, zinc, hydrogen, and carbon. When heated in solution to 100° C, it released hydrogen, while heating its crystals in the absence of a solvent produced both hydrogen and methane.

A possible alternative to compressed gases

The researchers said the work could support new methods for storing and transporting the two fuel gases. Since magnesium hydridomethylzincate is a solid at room temperature, it could offer an alternative to transporting methane and hydrogen as compressed gases.

The relatively low temperature required to release the gases is another reason the compound merits further research, according to the paper. The findings were published in Science Advances on October 7.

Hydrogen is emerging as an important new fuel in India and around the world because its combustion does not directly release carbon dioxide. But its very low density makes hydrogen difficult to store and transport, requiring expensive technologies.

Scientists have previously proposed blending hydrogen with methane as an intermediary step. Hydrogen burns faster than methane, while methane can reduce the risk of flames travelling back into burners or triggering violent detonations.

Researchers have also developed ways to store the two fuels as compressed gases and as solid materials capable of releasing one or the other gas. The new study adds a compound that can release both gases under different heating conditions.

Gases emerged through successive reactions

The team established that methane emerged before hydrogen. This indicated that the compound was releasing the gases through successive chemical reactions.

Further analysis showed that each unit of the compound’s paired molecular structure could produce two molecules each of hydrogen and methane. This finding describes the gas output from the compound’s molecular structure, while the separate heating experiments showed how the release changed depending on whether a solvent was present.

Chemistry professor and study lead Ajay Venugopal told The Hindu: “The broader significance of the work is that organometallic compounds could potentially provide molecular platforms for the storage and controlled release of fuel gases.”

Moisture sensitivity remains a concern

The compound also has limitations that require further research. The team has acknowledged that it is highly sensitive to moisture, and it is not known whether it can be ‘replenished’ after its gaseous contents have been depleted.

“Although we are yet to demonstrate reversibility in our system, the study provides a starting point for exploring molecular compounds that can reversibly uptake and release fuel gases using main-group elements,” Prof. Venugopal said.

The study’s other authors were Sheetal Kathayat Bisht, Poorna Gomathisankaran, and Alex Andrews. The publication listing is dated October 15, 2026 10:00 am IST.

Source: The Hindu