High H2 uptake by alkali-doped carbon nanotubes under ambient pressure and moderate temperatures

Li(12)Si(60)H(60) fullerene composite: a promising hydrogen storage medium

By using the first-principles DFT calculations, we design a novel hydrogen storage material, Li(12)Si(60)H(60) composite, and validate its geometric stability. It is found that the adsorbed Li atoms do not cluster on the Si(60)H(60) fullerene unlike other metals such as Ti, owing to the relatively low Li-Li binding energy and the inhibition of Si-H bonds. Our results show that the Li-doping enhances the hydrogen adsorption ability of Si(60)H(60) significantly, owing to the charge transfer from the doped Li atoms to the host material and the polarization of the adsorbed H(2) molecules. By combining the first-principles calculation and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation, we further investigate the hydrogen storage capacity of the simulation-synthesized exohedral Li(12)Si(60)H(60) composite at T = 77 K. As the vdW gap (i.e., the separation between the surfaces of two Li(12)Si(60)H(60) fullerenes) is equal to 8.2 A, the total hydrogen uptake of the square-arranged Li(12)Si(60)H(60) array reaches 12.83 wt % at p = 10 MPa, while the excess hydrogen uptake shows a maximum of 7.46 wt % at p = 6 MPa. Impressively, at T = 298 K and p = 10 MPa, the Li(12)Si(60)H(60) array still exhibits a total hydrogen uptake of 3.88 wt % at the vdW gap of 8.2 A. These results clearly indicate that the composite, Li(12)Si(60)H(60) fullerene, is a promising candidate for hydrogen storage.

Cooperative dipolar relaxation of a glycerol molecular cluster in nanoscale confinement-a computer simulation study

We performed an all-atoms molecular dynamics simulation of a glycerol molecular cluster confined in single-walled carbon nanotubes of different diameters to study the confinement size effect on the dipolar relaxation of glycerol molecules. We show that the many-body approach proposed by Dissado and Hill can be directly applied to simulation data and provides quantitative information concerning the cooperative nature of the dipolar relaxation of molecules in nanoscale confinement.

Nanoporous polymers for hydrogen storage

The design of hydrogen storage materials is one of the principal challenges that must be met before the development of a hydrogen economy. While hydrogen has a large specific energy, its volumetric energy density is so low as to require development of materials that can store and release it when needed. While much of the research on hydrogen storage focuses on metal hydrides, these materials are currently limited by slow kinetics and energy inefficiency. Nanostructured materials with high surface areas are actively being developed as another option. These materials avoid some of the kinetic and thermodynamic drawbacks of metal hydrides and other reactive methods of storing hydrogen. In this work, progress towards hydrogen storage with nanoporous materials in general and porous organic polymers in particular is critically reviewed. Mechanisms of formation for crosslinked polymers, hypercrosslinked polymers, polymers of intrinsic microporosity, and covalent organic frameworks are discussed. Strategies for controlling hydrogen storage capacity and adsorption enthalpy via manipulation of surface area, pore size, and pore volume are discussed in detail.

Controllable synthesis of hierarchical nanostructured hollow core/mesopore shell carbon for electrochemical hydrogen storage

Hierarchical nanostructured hollow core/mesopore shell carbon (HN-HCMSC) represents an innovative concept in electrochemical hydrogen storage. This work deals with physical characteristics and electrochemical hydrogen storage behavior of the HN-HCMSCs, produced by a replica technique using solid core/mesopore shell (SCMS) silica as template. HN-HCMSCs with various core sizes and/or shell thicknesses have been fabricated through the independent control of the core sizes and/or shell thicknesses of the SCMS silica templates. The superb structural characteristics of the HN-HCMSCs including large specific surface area and micropore volume, and particularly well-developed three-dimensionally interconnected hierarchical nanostructure (hollow macroporous core in combination with meso-/microporous shell), provide them with great potential for electrochemical hydrogen storage. A discharge capacity up to 586 mAh/g, corresponding to 2.17 wt % hydrogen uptake, has been demonstrated in 6 M KOH for the HN-HCMSC with a core size of 180 nm and a shell thickness of 40 nm at a discharge rate of 25 mA/g. Furthermore, the HN-HCMSC also possesses excellent cycling capacity retainability and rate capability.

Pillared graphene: a new 3-D network nanostructure for enhanced hydrogen storage

A multiscale theoretical approach was used to investigate hydrogen storage in a novel three-dimensional carbon nanostructure. This novel nanoporous material has by design tunable pore sizes and surface areas. Its interaction with hydrogen was studied thoroughly via ab initio and grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations. Our results show that, if this material is doped with lithium cations, it can store up to 41 g H2/L under ambient conditions, almost reaching the DOE volumetric requirement for mobile applications.

Adsorption of gases in carbon nanotubes: are defect interstitial sites important?

Molecular simulations are used to shed light on an ongoing controversy over where gases adsorb on single walled carbon nanotube bundles. We have performed simulations using models of carbon nanotube bundles composed of tubes of all the same diameter (homogeneous) and tubes of different diameters (heterogeneous). Simulation data are compared with experimental data in an effort to identify the best model for describing experimental data. Adsorption isotherms, isosteric heats of adsorption, and specific surface areas have been computed for Ar, CH 4, and Xe on closed, open, and partially opened homogeneous and heterogeneous nanotube bundles. Experimental data from nanotubes prepared from two different methods, electric arc and HiPco, were examined. Experimental adsorption isotherms and isosteric heats for nanotubes prepared by the electric arc method are in best agreement with simulations for heterogeneous bundles of closed nanotubes. Models including adsorption in defect interstitial channels are required to achieve good agreement with experiments. Experimental isosteric heats and specific surface areas on HiPco nanotubes are best described by a model consisting of heterogeneous bundles with approximately 11% of the nanotubes opened.

Enhancement in hydrogen storage in carbon nanotubes under modified conditions

We investigate the hydrogen adsorbing characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through fundamental molecular dynamics simulations that characterize the role of ambient pressure and temperature, the presence of surface charges on the CNTs, inclusion of metal ion interconnects, and nanocapillary effects. While the literature suggests that hydrogen spillover due to the presence of metallic contaminants enhances storage on and inside the nanotubes, we find this to be significant for alkali and not transition metals. Charging the CNT surfaces does not significantly enhance hydrogen storage. We find that the bulk of the hydrogen storage occurs inside CNTs due to their nanocapillarity effect. Storage is much more dependent on external thermodynamic conditions such as the temperature and the pressure than on these facets of the CNT structure. The dependence of storage on the external thermodynamic conditions is analyzed and the optimal range of operating conditions is identified.

Alkali-metal-induced enhancement of hydrogen adsorption in C60 fullerene: an ab Initio study

It is demonstrated that the doping of alkali metal atoms on fullerene, C60, remarkably enhances the molecular hydrogen adsorption capacity of fullerenes, which is higher than that of conventionally known other fullerene complexes. This effect is observed to be more pronounced for sodium than lithium atom. The formation of stable complex forms of a sodium-doped fullerene molecule, Na8C60, and the corresponding hydrogenated species, [Na(H2)6]8C60, with 48 hydrogen molecules has been demonstrated to lead to a hydrogen adsorption density of approximately 9.5 wt %. One of the main factors favoring the interactions involved is attributed to the pronounced charge transfer from the sodium atom to the C60 molecule and electrostatic interaction between the ion and the dihydrogen. The suitability of these complexes for developing fullerene-based hydrogen storage materials is discussed.

Carbon nanotubes

Nanotubes, the last in the focus of scientists in a series of 'all carbon' materials discovered over the last several decades are the most interesting and have the greatest potential. This review aims at presenting in a concise manner the considerable amount of knowledge accumulated since the discovery of this amazing form of solid carbon, particularly during the last 15 years. The topics include methods of synthesis, mathematical description, characterization by Raman spectroscopy, most important properties and applications. Problems related to the determination of CNT properties, as well as difficulties regarding their applications, in particular scaling, which would lead to their utilization, are outlined.

Li-decorated metal-organic framework 5: a route to achieving a suitable hydrogen storage medium

A significant improvement in molecular hydrogen uptake properties is revealed by our ab initio calculations for Li-decorated metal-organic framework 5. We have found that two Li atoms are strongly adsorbed on the surfaces of the six-carbon rings, one on each side, carrying a charge of +0.9e per Li atom. Each Li can cluster three H(2) molecules around itself with a binding energy of 12 kJ (mol H(2))(-1). Furthermore, we show from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with a hydrogen loading of 18 H(2) per formula unit that a hydrogen uptake of 2.9 wt % at 200 K and 2.0 wt % at 300 K is achievable. To our knowledge, this is the highest hydrogen storage capacity reported for metal-organic framework 5 under such thermodynamic conditions.

Reciprocal space constraints create real-space anomalies in doped carbon nanotubes

When graphite is doped with electrons, carbon-carbon bonds lengthen and Raman-active phonons soften as antibonding states fill. However, in semiconducting carbon nanotubes, one Raman-active G-band mode increases in frequency at low doping levels. We show how phase constraints on the conduction-band wave function expose a latent bonding character in the conduction band of certain nanotubes. In these tubes, filling the lowest conduction band shortens the axial bonds even as it lengthens the circumferential bonds. The A{1}{LO} phonon, which preferentially stretches the axial bonds, then hardens even as the other phonons soften. Quantum confinement eliminates the angular averaging taken for granted in higher-dimensional systems and develops a new class of states, neither bonding nor antibonding, whose character depends on the angular orientation of the bonds in question.

Hydrogen storage and the 18-electron rule

We show that the 18-electron rule can be used to design new organometallic systems that can store hydrogen with large gravimetric density. In particular, Ti containing organic molecules such as C(4)H(4), C(5)H(5), and C(8)H(8) can store up to 9 wt % hydrogen, which meets the Department of Energy target for the year 2015. More importantly, hydrogen in these materials is stored in molecular form with an average binding energy of about 0.55 eV /H(2) molecule, which is ideal for fast kinetics. Using molecular orbitals we have analyzed the maximum number of H(2) molecules that can be adsorbed as well as the nature of their bonding and orientation. The charge transfer from the H(2) bonding orbital to the empty d(xy) and d(x(2)-y(2) ) orbitals of Ti has been found to be singularly responsible for the observed binding of the hydrogen molecule. It is argued that early transition metals are better suited for optimal adsorption/desorption of hydrogen.

Hydrogen physisorption on the organic linker in metal organic frameworks: ab initio computational study

Research for materials offering efficient hydrogen storage and transport has recently received increased attention. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) provide one promising group of materials where several recent advances were reported in this direction. In this computational study ab initio methods are employed to study the physisorption of hydrogen on conjugated systems. These systems are used as models for the organic linker within MOFs. Here, we focus on the adsorption sites related to the organic linker with special attention to the edge site, which was only recently reported to exist as the weakest adsorbing site in MOFs. We also investigate chemically modified models of the organic connector that result in enforcing this adsorption site. This may be crucial for improving the uptake properties of these materials to the goal defined by DOE for efficient hydrogen transport materials.

A technique of purification process of single-walled carbon nanotubes with air

A technique of purifying SWCNTs has been developed by means of oxidizing carbonaceous particles with air using fluidized-bed. Air was introduced into the fluidized-bed by pump with controllable flux. The powders were "boiling" at a temperature of 550 degrees C for 50 min. With this technique, the flux can be controlled simply. The fluidized-bed was applied as the heating apparatus instead of rotated quartz tubes. The air and the powders can be mixed with each other more sufficiently. Characteristics of the raw and purified powder were presented using Raman spectroscopy and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), revealing that the purified powder is free from carbonaceous particles.

Carbon nanoscrolls: a promising material for hydrogen storage

A multiscale theoretical approach was used for the investigation of hydrogen storage in the recently synthesized carbon nanoscrolls. First, ab initio calculations at the density functional level of theory (DFT) were performed in order to (a) calculate the binding energy of H2 molecules at the walls of nanoscrolls and (b) fit the parameters of the interatomic potential used in Monte Carlo simulations. Second, classical Monte Carlo simulations were performed for estimating the H2 storage capacity of "experimental size" nanoscrolls containing thousands of atoms. Our results show that pure carbon nanoscrolls cannot accumulate hydrogen because the interlayer distance is too small. However, an opening of the spiral structure to approximately 7 A followed by alkali doping can make them very promising materials for hydrogen storage application, reaching 3 wt % at ambient temperature and pressure.

Oxygen adsorption by carbon nanotubes and its application in radiotherapy

The ability to deliver large molecules, for example nucleic acids, to cells using carbon nanotubes has been reviewed. Potential applications of functionalised nanotubes to deliver oxygen to cancer cells to enhance the effects of radiotherapy are considered.

Hydrogen storage in ni nanoparticle-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Hydrogen storage properties of mutiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with Ni nanoparticles were investigated. The metal nanoparticles were dispersed on MWCNTs surfaces using an incipient wetness impregnation procedure. Ni catalysts have been known to effectively dissociate hydrogen molecules in gas phase, providing atomic hydrogen possible to form chemical bonding with the surfaces of MWCNTs. Hydrogen desorption spectra of MWCNTs with 6 wt % of Ni nanoparticles showed that approximately 2.8 wt % hydrogen was released in the range of 340-520 K. In Kissinger's plot to evaluate the nature of interaction between hydrogen and MWCNTs with Ni nanoparticles, the hydrogen desorption activation energy was measured to be as high as approximately 31 kJ/mol.H(2), which is much higher than the estimates of pristine SWNTs. C-H(n)() stretching vibrations after hydrogenation in FTIR further supported that hydrogen molecules were dissociated when bound to the surfaces of MWCNTs. During cyclic hydrogen absorption/desorption, there was observed no significant decay in hydrogen desorption amount. The hydrogen chemisorption process facilitated by Ni nanopaticles could be suggested as an effective reversible hydrogen storage method.

Nature of the bound states of molecular hydrogen in carbon nanohorns

The effects of confining molecular hydrogen within carbon nanohorns are studied via high-resolution quasielastic and inelastic neutron spectroscopies. Both sets of data are remarkably different from those obtained in bulk samples in the liquid and crystalline states. At temperatures where bulk hydrogen is liquid, the spectra of the confined sample show an elastic component indicating a significant proportion of immobile molecules as well as distinctly narrower quasielastic line widths and a strong distortion of the line shape of the para-->ortho rotational transition. The results show that hydrogen interacts far more strongly with such carbonous structures than it does to carbon nanotubes, suggesting that nanohorns and related nanostructures may offer significantly better prospects as lightweight media for hydrogen storage applications.