Hydrogen storage on nickel catalysts supported on amorphous activated carbon

We have studied the hydrogen storage at room temperature and high pressure on nickel catalysts impregnated on an amorphous commercial activated carbon. The catalysts were studied by means of the BET method, XRD, metal surface area and temperature programmed desorption. It was shown that the catalysts could store significant amounts of hydrogen at room temperature and high pressure (up to 0.53% at 30 bars against 0.1% for the activated carbon). Various factors influencing the level of hydrogen uptake were examined and discussed. The hydrogen spillover would be the driving force for the hydrogen storage. Two mechanisms of hydrogen uptake are proposed.