1. Presentation

In general, the most stable configuration of a set of atoms consists in assembling them in such a way as to allow optimization of the electronic distribution, i.e. to minimize obstacles to electron transfer between elements of different electronic affinities (electronegativities). The optimum solution is then obtained for a combination of oxidizing (oxygen, fluorine...) and reducing (carbon, hydrogen...) elements in small molecules such as H ₂ O, CO ₂ , HF.... The most efficient way to store energy in a material is therefore to introduce oxidizing and reducing elements in the right proportions: decomposition of the material will release this energy in oxidation-reduction reactions (i.e. optimization of electron distribution on atoms).

Such materials, made up of different atoms...