Hydrogen is one of the most promising clean energy technologies for displacing fossil fuels, with the advantages of high energy density and environmental friendly characteristics. A major obstacle to realizing the hydrogen economy is efficient hydrogen storage. Currently, some of the densest storage is realized in metals and other complex alloy materials, however due to strong binding enthalpies, kinetics and poor oxidative stability have historically limited these materials. Poor kinetics can be enhanced by using nano-scale crystals�this reduces the diffusion path length of hydrogen.In this work, we report a composite of magnesium nanocrystal and graphene, synthesized for application of hydrogen storage. Graphene has attracted great attention due to its excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Recently, graphene-based materials have been utilized in many membrane applications, mainly attributed by one carbon atom-thick layer and superior stability. Interestingly, it was reported that even a single graphene layer displays a remarkable selectivity toward hydrogen molecules, caused by its intrinsic defects. In this aspect, we anticipate that graphene can act as a selective gas filter, transporting hydrogen gas while also preventing other gas molecules from permeating the composite and deleteriously oxidizing. Thus, graphene composites could enable outstanding challenges in hydrogen storage to be surmounted by enabling safe, dense storage in metal nanocrystals. Here we present the synthesis, characterization, and hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of this novel material.

Novel graphene-metal nanocrystal composites for high-capacity hydrogen storage

248th National Meeting (2014)

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