Stable Low-Pressure Hydrogen Clusters Stored in a Binary Clathrate Hydrate

Abstract

Thermodynamic, x-ray diffraction, and Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements show that clusters of H ₂ can be stabilized and stored at low pressures in a sII binary clathrate hydrate. Clusters of H ₂ molecules occupy small water cages, whereas large water cages are singly occupied by tetrahydrofuran. The presence of this second guest component stabilizes the clathrate at pressures of 5 megapascals at 279.6 kelvin, versus 300 megapascals at 280 kelvin for pure H ₂ hydrate.