Feather fibres increase hydrogen storage capacity

A research that was presented at the 13th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference could eventually help overcome some of the hurdles to using hydrogen fuel in cars, trucks and other machinery. This is organized by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute which is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting and advancing the discovery and design of chemical products and processes that eliminate the generation and use of hazardous substances in all aspects of the global chemical enterprise. The research states that carbonized chicken feather fibers have the potential to dramatically improve upon existing methods of hydrogen storage and also in future it could pave for the practical development of a truly hydrogen-based energy economy.

Why are chicken feathers so suitable? Because they are made up of mainly keratin, which is a natural protein that forms strong hollow tubes. When these are heated up, this protein creates cross links which strengthen its structure also making it porous. The net result is carbonized chicken feather fibers which can absorb more hydrogen than carbon nanotubes or metal hybrids. Plus they are cheap.
[Physorg]