Effects of copper:aluminum ratio in CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposite: Electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity, band gap and morphology

• CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposite has been prepared using simple thermal decomposition method.
• The effects of ration copper on morphology, size and optical properties were investigated.
• The green tea extract can be used as precipitating agent.
• For the first time, the hydrogen storage capacity of CuO/Al2O3 was studied.

CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via a thermal decomposition method using green tea extract as a precipitating agent. The biosynthesized CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), N2 adsorption (BET), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Also, the electrochemical hydrogen storage properties of porous CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposites with various aspect ratio of Cu:Al were studied. The discharge capacity of CuO/Al2O3 nanocomposites at the first cycle with 2:1 ratio of each compartments obtained at 330 mAh/g while enhanced to 6750 mAh/g after 14 cycles.

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