Experimental investigation of hydrogen storage in single walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with borane

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) dispersed in 2-propanol are deposited on the alumina substrate using drop cast method. The deposited SWCNTs are characterized using the techniques SEM, EDS and FTIR. Then the SWCNTs are functionalized with BH3 using LiBH4 as the precursor. FTIR, XPS and CHNS techniques are used to confirm the functionalization. The functional groups are identified from FTIR studies. The various elements present in the functionalized SWCNTs are identified from XPS and CHNS studies. The functionalized samples are hydrogenated and the hydrogen storage capacity of these samples is estimated using CHNS studies.