Preparation and Enhanced Hydrostability and Hydrogen Storage Capacity of CNT@MOF-5 Hybrid Composite

Abstract

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are a rapidly growing class of microporous materials. Various MOFs with tailored nanoporosities have recently been developed as potential storage media for natural gases and hydrogen. However, wider applications have been limited because even atmospheric moisture levels cause MOF instability, and unexpectedly low H2 storage capacity, at 298 K. To overcome these problems, we synthesized a hybrid composite of acid-treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and MOF-5 [Zn4O(bdc)3; bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarbocylate] (denoted MOFMC). In a successful synthesis, well-dispersed MWCNTs in dimethylformamide (DMF) were mixed with a DMF solution of zinc nitrate tetrahydrate and terephthalic acid. The MOFMCs obtained had the same crystal structure and morphology as those of virgin MOF-5, but exhibited a much greater Langmuir specific surface area (increased from 2160 to 3550 m2/g), about a 50% increase in hydrogen storage capacity (from 1.2 to 1.52 wt % at 77 K and 1 bar and from 0.3 to 0.61 wt % at 298 K and 95 bar), and much improved stability in the presence of ambient moisture.