Catalysis of atomic hydrogen to novel hydrogen species H-(1/4)H-(1/4) and H2(1/4)H2(1/4) as a new power source

The data from a broad spectrum of investigational techniques strongly and consistently indicate that hydrogen can exist in lower-energy states than previously thought possible. The predicted reaction involves a resonant, nonradiative energy transfer from otherwise stable atomic hydrogen to a catalyst capable of accepting the energy. The product is H(1/p)H(1/p), fractional Rydberg states of atomic hydrogen wherein n=12,13,14,…,1/p (p⩽137p⩽137 is an integer) replaces the well-known parameter n=integern=integer in the Rydberg equation for hydrogen excited states. He+He+, Ar+Ar+, and K are predicted to serve as catalysts since they meet the catalyst criterion—a chemical or physical process with an enthalpy change equal to an integer multiple of the potential energy of atomic hydrogen, 27.2 eV. Specific predictions based on closed-form equations for energy levels were tested. For example, two H(1/p)H(1/p) may react to form H2(1/p)H2(1/p) that have vibrational and rotational energies that are p2p2 times those of H2 comprising uncatalyzed atomic hydrogen. Rotational lines were observed in the 145–300 nm region from atmospheric pressure electron-beam-excited argon–hydrogen plasmas. The unprecedented energy spacing of 4242 times that of hydrogen established the internuclear distance as 14 that of H2 and identified H2(1/4)H2(1/4).The predicted products of alkali catalyst K are H-(1/4)H-(1/4) which form KH*XKH*X, a novel alkali halido (X) hydride compound, and H2(1/4)H2(1/4) which may be trapped in the crystal. The 1H MAS NMR spectrum of novel compound KH*ClKH*Cl relative to external tetramethylsilane (TMS) showed a large distinct upfield resonance at -4.4ppm corresponding to an absolute resonance shift of -35.9ppm that matched the theoretical prediction of H(1/4) with p=4p=4. The predicted frequencies of ortho- and para-H2(1/4)H2(1/4) were observed at 1943 and 2012cm-1 in the high-resolution FTIR spectrum of KH*IKH*I having a -4.6ppm NMR peak assigned to H-(1/4)H-(1/4). The 1943/2012cm-1-intensity ratio matched the characteristic ortho-to-para-peak-intensity ratio of 3:1, and the ortho–para splitting of 69cm-1 matched that predicted. KH*ClKH*Cl having H-(1/4)H-(1/4) by NMR was incident to the 12.5 keV electron beam which excited similar emission of interstitial H2(1/4)H2(1/4) as observed in the argon–hydrogen plasma. KNO3 and Raney nickel were used as a source of K catalyst and atomic hydrogen, respectively, to produce the corresponding exothermic reaction. The energy balance was ΔH=-17925kcal/mol KNO3, about 300 times that expected for the most energetic known chemistry of KNO3, and -3585kcal/molH2, over 60 times the hypothetical maximum enthalpy of -57.8kcal/molH2 due to combustion of hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen, assuming the maximum possible H2 inventory. The reduction of KNO3 to water, potassium metal, and NH3 calculated from the heats of formation only releases -14.2kcal/molH2 which cannot account for the observed heat; nor can hydrogen combustion. But, the results are consistent with the formation of H-(1/4)H-(1/4) and H2(1/4)H2(1/4) having enthalpies of formation of over 100 times that of combustion.