But of course we can use acids to make hydrogen fuel.
2HC(aq) + Zn(s) --> ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
How practical it is is another matter. It costs energy and therefore, money to make HCl and to refine the zinc to be reacted. The bottom line is that preparing the raw materials (HCl and Zn) costs more than the H2, and more than an equivalent about of other fuels.
Therefore, using acids and metals to make H2 as a fuel is not economical.
2HC(aq) + Zn(s) --> ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
How practical it is is another matter. It costs energy and therefore, money to make HCl and to refine the zinc to be reacted. The bottom line is that preparing the raw materials (HCl and Zn) costs more than the H2, and more than an equivalent about of other fuels.
Therefore, using acids and metals to make H2 as a fuel is not economical.
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The problem is, acids leave behind hydronium ions, which are not, in and of themselves, highly flamable. Not only that, but they tend to attach themselves to water, making H3O+ (too lazy to super and subscript that). You would (I would think, I'm only a student myself) have to find a way to get the hydrogens to absorb electrons and form H2 molecules. The first way that comes to mind for me is to use an alkali metal, which wants to give away its electrons, but the problem is, you'd have to put the alkali into the acid, mostly water, which would cause bases to form, and negate the entire process.
So my best guess is, as of now, there is no way to successfully draw fuel out of the acids.
So my best guess is, as of now, there is no way to successfully draw fuel out of the acids.