(70dl) Nanocomposite Materials for Hydrogen Storage

Carbon nanotubes have been modified under various conditions and used to form nanocomposite adsorbents by introducing metal and/or nonmetal nanoparticles. The surface area, pore size morphology and hydrogen sorptive capacity is measured using a Quantachrome Autosorb 1C instrument. Our approach is to make a nanocomposite hydrogen storage material composed of nano-carbons and sorption enhancing nanoparticles. We first prepare a series of nanocomposites and elucidate parameters affecting the number and type of binding sites and heat of reaction for a broad range of modified carbon nanotubes. We will then study the chemical/electronic effects of the added nanoparticles to provide guidance for maximization of the hydrogen storage capabilities in the nanocomposite materials