Facile synthesis of hybrid porous composites and its porous carbon for enhanced H2 and CH4 storage

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-11, Vol.45 (57), p.32797-32807
• Main Authors: Attia, Nour F., Jung, Minji, Park, Jaewoo, Cho, Se-Yeon, Oh, Hyunchul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hybrid porous composite; Hydrogen storage; Methane storage; Microporosity; Porous carbon
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.03.004

The anticipated energy crisis due to the extensive use of limited stock fossil fuels forces the scientific society for find prompt solution for commercialization of hydrogen as a clean source of energy. Hence, convenient and efficient solid-state hydrogen storage adsorbents are required. Additionally, the safe commercialization of huge reservoir natural gas (CH4) as an on-board vehicle fuel and alternative to gasoline due to its environmentally friendly combustion is also a vital issue. To this end, in this study we report facile synthesis of polymer-based composites for H2 and CH4 uptake. The cross-linked polymer and its porous composites with activated carbon were developed through in-situ synthesis method. The mass loadings of activated carbon were varied from 7 to 20 wt%. The developed hybrid porous composites achieved high specific surface area (SSA) of 1420 m2/g and total pore volume (TPV) of 0.932 cm3/g as compared to 695 m2/g and 0.857 cm3/g for pristine porous polymer. Additionally, the porous composite was activated converted to a highly porous carbon material achieving SSA and TPV of 2679 m2/g and 1.335 cm3/g, respectively. The H2 adsorption for all developed porous materials was studied at 77 and 298 K and 20 bar achieving excess uptake of 4.4 wt% and 0.17 wt% respectively, which is comparable to the highest reported value for porous carbon. Furthermore, the developed porous materials achieved CH4 uptake of 8.15 mmol/g at 298 K and 20 bar which is also among the top reported values for porous carbon. [Display omitted] •Hybrid porous composites for H2 and CH4 uptake have been facilely developed.•Hybrid porous composites achieved high microporosity and high energy gases uptake.•Developed porous composite was converted to porous carbon of high porosity.•The H2 storage of porous materials achieved 4.4 and 0.17 wt% at 77 and 298 K at 20 bar.•Developed porous materials achieved CH4 uptake of 8.15 mmol/g at 298 K and 20 bar.