Hydrogen storage properties of Pd nanoparticle/carbon template composites

Theoretical studies predict improved hydrogenation properties for hybrid carbon/metal composites. The hydrogen storage capacity of ordered porous carbon containing Pd clusters was measured. The C/Pd composite was obtained by chemical impregnation of an ordered porous carbon template (CT) with a H2PdCl4 solution followed by a reduction treatment. 10 wt.% of palladium clusters were introduced in the carbon porosity; the Pd clusters (2 nm in size) being homogeneously distributed. Thermodynamic hydrogenation properties of both Pd-free CT and the Pd–10 wt.% CT composite have been determined by hydrogen isotherm sorption measurements and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) analysis. The introduction of the palladium into the carbon matrix does not increase the hydrogen storage capacity at 77 K and 1.6 MPa, since here the hydrogen uptake is being attributed to physisorption on the carbon. However, at room temperature and moderate pressure (0.5 MPa), the filling of the CT with 10 wt.% nanocrystalline Pd results in an hydrogen uptake eight times larger than that of the Pd-free CT. After the second cycle, a good reversibility is observed. TDS measurements confirm that the sharp increase of the hydrogen uptake is due to the presence of the Pd clusters in the carbon porosity.