Hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

TL;DR

This study investigates the hydrogenation process of single-walled carbon nanotubes using atomic hydrogen, revealing the formation and breaking of C-H bonds, a reversible process, and a significant hydrogen storage capacity.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectroscopic analysis of hydrogenation in SWCNTs, demonstrating high hydrogen capacity and reversibility, advancing hydrogen storage research.

Findings

Approximately 65% hydrogenation of carbon atoms achieved

Hydrogenation process is reversible upon heating

Hydrogen storage capacity of about 5.1% by weight

Abstract

Towards the development of a useful mechanism for hydrogen storage, we have studied the hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with atomic hydrogen using core-level photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. We find that atomic hydrogen creates C-H bonds with the carbon atoms in the nanotube walls and such C-H bonds can be com-pletely broken by heating to 600 oC. We demonstrate approximately 65+/-15 at % hydrogenation of carbon atoms in the single-walled carbon nanotubes which is equivalent to 5.1+/-1.2 weight % hydrogen capacity. We also show that the hydrogenation is a reversible process.