Hydrogen adsorption characteristics of magnesium combustion derived graphene at 77 and 293 K

•Hydrogen uptake on graphene measured by Sieverts technique.•Bulk graphene was prepared by the method of magnesium combustion in a CO2 atmosphere.•Hydrogen uptake of 0.85 wt.% of H2 at 65 bar and 77 K, and 0.9 wt.% of H2 at 300 bar and 293 K.

Bulk graphene was prepared by the method of magnesium combustion in a CO2 atmosphere, producing large quantities of material which had a different morphology and importantly, a more ordered carbon lattice than reduced graphene oxide and other bulk graphene synthetic methodologies. Despite a low surface area of 235.5 m2/g and ca 9 at.% of magnesium and its oxides which do not contribute to hydrogen adsorption, we observe 0.85 wt.% of H2 at 65 bar and 77 K, and 0.9 wt.% of H2 at 300 bar and 293 K. As this methodology readily produces many-gram quantities with cheap starting materials, we anticipate that with further enhancements to the synthetic methodology, improving both surface area and reducing reaction by-products, this material will provide a robust platform for further H2 adsorption investigations.