On the solid hydrogen carrier intercalation in graphane-like regions in carbon-based nanostructures

Thermodynamic and experimental backgrounds of the condensed hydrogen storage problem are considered. It results in developing an effective method of producing a high-density solid hydrogen carrier by means of hydrogen intercalation in carbonaceous nanomaterials at relevant temperatures and pressures (at the cost of the hydrogen association energy). This is a much more technological method, in comparison with the current megabar compression dynamic and static methods. As is also shown, one of the known processes of chemisorption of hydrogen in some carbonaceous nanostructures can be related to formation of graphane-like (i.e., carbohydride-like) nanoregions. By using gravimetric and electron microscopy data, the density values (ρH=0.7±0.2g(H2)/cm3(H2),ρH∗=0.28±0.08g(H2)/cm3(system)), of the intercalated solid molecular (i.e., reversible) hydrogen in graphane-like nanofibers ( ≥ 17 wt% H2) has been defined. It corresponds to a much more efficient hydrogen storage technology, in comparison with the current ones, and relevance to the U.S. DOE requirements and targets for 2015.

► A new method of producing of solid molecular (“reversible”) hydrogen is considered.
► The method is based on hydrogen intercalation in graphane-like nanomaterials.
► The “volumetric” density (capacity) is ∼0.3 g(H2)/cm3(system).
► The “gravimetric” density (capacity) is ∼15 wt% (H2).