Influence of nanopores volumes in hydrogen absorption properties of B4C and WC carbide-derived carbon nanomaterials

Abstract

Sustainable energy development is needed to meet rising energy demands and reduce fossil fuel risks. Hydrogen generation is a crucial study area for sustainable energy. This study examines hydrogen adsorption on carbide-derived carbon nano-porous (CDC nP) nanomaterials. B4C CDC nP and WC-CDC nP Nanomaterials were produced by reacting chlorine gas with boron carbide (B4C) and tungsten carbide (WC) at 1200 °C and 980 °C in a high-pressure quartz stationary bed reactor. A CDC nP Nanomaterials was activated by heating it to 900 °C for 1 h in hydrogen to produce A-B4C-CDC nP Nanomaterials, which were characterized using Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), nonlocal density functional theory (NLDFT), X-ray diffractometers (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Before treatment, the BET (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller) surface area of activated B4C CDC nP material was 2240 m2/g, non-activated WC-CDC nP was 1240 m2/g, and A-B4C-CDC Nanomaterials was 1580 m2/g. This novel study examines CDC pore size and absorption on CDCs. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms showed better pore volume and distribution than raw material. High linearity allows an incompressible adsorbed hydrogen phase at ambient temperature. The isotherms match IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) Type I isotherms and confirm nano-porous materials. The equal temperature matches IUPAC Type I isotherms, indicating nano-porous material. H2 adsorption of Sample A peaked at 6.75 wt% at pressures above 125 MPa. Since all three carbide-derived carbons had the same maximum adsorbate density, overall pore volume is a major determinant.