Effect of preparation conditions on the hydrogen storage capacity of activated carbon adsorbents with super-high specific surface areas

•A series of activated carbon adsorbents with super-high specific surface areas was prepared.•The structure of activated carbon adsorbents is affected by preparation conditions.•The hydrogen storage capacity is affected by preparation conditions.•The hydrogen storage capacity can reach 29.95 mmol g−1 at 0 °C and 9.0 MPa.

A series of activated carbon adsorbents with super-high specific surface areas (SHAC) (SBET ≥ 2500 m2 g−1) was prepared and used to adsorb storage hydrogen. The results indicated that the structure of activated carbon adsorbents and hydrogen storage capacity are affected by preparation conditions. The influence of preparation conditions on hydrogen storage capacity can be attributed to changes in the structure of the prepared activated carbon adsorbents. The prepared adsorbents had high hydrogen storage capacity, reaching 5.65 wt % and 4.98 wt % when the adsorption temperatures were 0 °C and 25 °C, respectively, and the pressure was 9.0 MPa.

Graphical abstractThe structure of activated carbon adsorbents and hydrogen storage capacity are affected by preparation conditions. The Figure shows that the pore size distribution of activated carbon adsorbents is affected by KOH/C mole ratio.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide