Synthesis, characterization and hydrogen storage properties of microporous carbons templated by cation exchanged forms of zeolite Y with propylene and butylene as carbon precursors

Ordered microporous carbon materials using different cation exchanged (Ca, K, H and Na) forms of Y zeolites as templates and propylene and butylene as carbon sources were synthesized using a single step vapour phase deposition process. The effect of cation and carbon precursor type on the resulting carbons was examined by X-ray diffraction measurements, nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and compared with the parent zeolite. The carbons show periodic ordering with high surface area and pore volume. The extent of periodicity or ordering in the final carbons was found to depend on the cation type and carbon precursor used. All the carbons showed high surface area and micropore volume, however, cation type in the template and the carbon precursors influenced the overall surface area and micropore volume. Carbons prepared from calcium exchanged form of zeolite Y were found to show long range ordered structure, while carbon prepared from potassium exchanged Y zeolite showed the lowest ordering and stability. Hydrogen adsorption measurements were also performed and the carbons were shown to adsorb a maximum of 2 wt% H2 at 77 K and 1 atm pressure. Hydrogen storage capacity was found to be dependent on the total micropore volume of the carbon samples.