Re:Solar-driven water splitting at 13.8% solar-to-hydrogen e...
by lazide on Thursday November 18, 2021 @05:39PM
(#29271528)
To answer your question regarding commonality/ready availability -
Carbon, Nitrogen, and Iron are cheap and easy (you’re likely within body length of a large quantity right now). 32% of the earths mass is estimated to be Iron. $1/lb or less in massive quantities.
Nickel and Molybdenum are slightly harder to find, but not by much - nickel makes up 1.8% of the earth by mass and is a reasonably common metal in everyday manufacturing. It’s currently at $3.97/lb spot price at tonne quantities. Moly is in everything from greases to steels, and while typically not used in large bulk quantities alone, is available for such [https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/molybden] at looks like $23/lb give or take.
So all commonly available elements, albeit (nanotubes) not necessarily in the form desired just yet.
Carbon, Nitrogen, and Iron are cheap and easy (you’re likely within body length of a large quantity right now). 32% of the earths mass is estimated to be Iron. $1/lb or less in massive quantities.
Nickel and Molybdenum are slightly harder to find, but not by much - nickel makes up 1.8% of the earth by mass and is a reasonably common metal in everyday manufacturing. It’s currently at $3.97/lb spot price at tonne quantities. Moly is in everything from greases to steels, and while typically not used in large bulk quantities alone, is available for such [https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/molybden] at looks like $23/lb give or take.
So all commonly available elements, albeit (nanotubes) not necessarily in the form desired just yet.