Activating aluminium for oxidation and hydrogen release : overcoming the passivation barrier with superheated steam

Van de Velde, Nigel Willy (author), Drinčić, Ana (author), Grom, Matic (author), Likozar, Blaž (author), Genorio, Boštjan (author), Haller, Michel (author), Jerman, Ivan (author)

Aluminium has considerable potential for use in seasonal energy storage, as it is energy dense and stable and can be recycled sustainably. However, a dense alumina barrier prevents energy extraction. In this work, aluminium is activated, and energy is extracted by oxidation using pressurized superheated steam. The activation of aluminium by penetrating the dense passivation layer requires the right feed material and reaction conditions. The onset mechanism is studied for low-yield reactions up to 2 %. In combination with pressures above 10 barG, microcracks form at temperatures above 500 °C. The diffusion of superheated steam through microcracks into the core of the aluminium results in oxidation past the passivation barrier and the evolution of H$_2$. This concept is further proven by the detection of Al$_2$O$_3$. This alternative reaction route in a dry oxidizing environment broadens the application range of aluminium as a metal fuel for long-term chemical energy storage.

• Language: English
• Keywords: aluminium, oxidation, superheated steam, hydrogen, seasonal energy storage
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 16 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 205, art. 153183
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184299
• UDC: 66
• ISSN on article: 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.153183
• COBISS.SI-ID: 282446339
• Publication date in RUL: 03.07.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: International journal of hydrogen energy
• Publisher: Elsevier, Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC
• ISSN: 1879-3487
• COBISS.SI-ID: 23007749

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: kemijska tehnologija, oksidacija, aluminij, vodik, shranjevanje energije

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: HE
• Project number: 101069492
• Name: Revolutionary energy storage cycle with carbon free aluminium
• Acronym: REVEAL

• Funder: SERI - State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation
• Acronym: REVEAL