VCU scientists develop materials to make transport, storage and use of natural gas more efficient

Virginia Commonwealth University scientists have developed a “sponge-like” porous material to purify natural gas and store hydrogen gas to be used in clean energy applications such as fuel cells that generate electricity and water with zero emission. The new polymer can trap and sequester the harmful CO2 elements found in natural gas, while making the storage and transport of this cleaner, hotter-burning fuel much easier.The team of scientists, led by Hani El-Kaderi, have developed an organic polymer called benzimidazole-linked polymers (or BILPs) that are covered in nano-engineered pores. When exposed to streams of natural gas, these BLIPs absorb and trap carbon dioxide, purifying the natural gas in an energy and cost efficient way.