Hydrogen storage systems using modified sorbents for application in automobile manufacturing

The possibility of application of new materials for storage of hydrogen in automotive industry is examined Materials are active carbon AC35 in whose structure, particles from various metals: Ni, Ni + La and Ni + MM are implanted. The last mentioned material called “mixed metal MM” contains approximately 51% La, 33% Ce, 12% Nd, 4% Pr. The study of the structure of the activated carbon AC35 is related to the possibility of storing hydrogen by combining physical adsorption on the inner surface of the material and the formation of metal hydrides of these metals and hydrogen to increase the total capacity. Analyses have been conducted to establish the amounts of implanted metal particles in the inner structure of the activated carbon, as well as the change of the very structure with the purpose of determining the dominant mechanism for hydrogen retaining. Temperature profiles have been investigated into the volume of model dynamic reservoir by filling it with hydrogen. A thermodynamic analysis of the impact of thermal effects of adsorption and compression at different temperatures and flows has been made. The possibility of dynamic storage of hydrogen at 77 K and room temperature has been examined.

► We modify the activated carbon AC35 by implanting in whose structure, particles from various metals.
► We investigate the structure of new materials by different methods.
► The specific surface of AC35 reduces significantly.
► The hydrogen equilibrium storage capacity of modified samples at 77 K is less than the capacity of AC35.
► For a dynamic storage of hydrogen at 298 K we recommend the use of active carbons with implanted metal particles.