Effect of Pt nanoparticle decoration on the H2 storage performance of plasma-derived nanoporous graphene

Nikolaos Kostoglou,Chi-Wei Liao,Cheng-Yu Wang,Junko N Kondo,Christos Tampaxis,Theodore Steriotis,Konstantinos Giannakopoulos,Athanassios G Kontos,Steve Hinder,Mark Baker,Etienne Bousser,Allan Matthews,Claus Rebholz,Christian Mitterer

doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2020.08.061

Abstract

A nanoporous and large surface area (∼800 m2/g) graphene-based material was produced by plasma treatment of natural flake graphite and was subsequently surface decorated with platinum (Pt) nano-sized particles via thermal reduction of a Pt precursor (chloroplatinic acid). The carbon-metal nanocomposite showed a ∼2 wt% loading of well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles (<2 nm) across its porous graphene surface, while neither a significant surface chemistry alteration nor a pore structure degradation was observed due to the Pt decoration procedure. The presence of Pt seems to slightly promote the hydrogen sorption behavior at room temperature with respect to the pure graphene, thus implying the rise of “weak” chemisorption phenomena, including a potential hydrogen “spillover” effect. The findings of this experimental study provide insights for the development of novel graphene-based nanocomposites for hydrogen storage applications at ambient conditions.

Highlights

Considering the increased emission of greenhouse gases and the limited availability of fossil fuels worldwide, people are seeking for clean, reliable and renewable energy technologies [1]
A plasma-derived nanoporous and high-surface area (~800 m2/g) graphene-based material was decorated with Pt nanoparticles towards improving its H2 storage performance at room temperature via “weak” chemisorption mechanisms (e.g. H2 spillover)
X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman studies suggested that the graphene structure is properly maintained despite the metal-decoration procedure

Summary

Introduction

Considering the increased emission of greenhouse gases and the limited availability of fossil fuels worldwide, people are seeking for clean, reliable and renewable energy technologies [1]. The volatile nature of green energy sources, such as solar or wind power plants, makes it difficult to satisfy the base load requirement. The combination of green energy conversion and storage becomes an important task. Hydrogen (H2) is a strong candidate as a renewable and carbon-free energy carrier because of its high gravimetric energy density, highly efficient electrochemical combination with oxygen in fuel cells and environmental friendliness with water as the only “product” after utilization [2e4].

Methods

Results

Conclusion