Laser-assisted synthesis of bentonite/Pd nanocomposite and its electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials 2021-12, Vol.328, p.111439, Article 111439
• Main Authors: Mousavi, Seyedeh Soheila, Jaleh, Babak, Nasrollahzadeh, Mahmoud, Eslamipanah, Mahtab, Khazalpour, Sadegh, Orooji, Yasin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bentonite; Clean energy; Hydrogen storage; Laser ablation in liquid; Pd NPs
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2021.111439

Today, the increasing world population has led to increased consumption of fossil fuels for energy production, causing environmental problems. Hydrogen with high energy density can be used as a suitable alternative to fossil fuel sources. Hydrogen atoms can be stored on porous structures by physical interaction. Hence, simple and eco-friendly approaches have been taken to prepare bentonite/Pd nanocomposites for electrochemical hydrogen storage. Laser ablation in the deionized water medium was employed as a physical route for the synthesis of Pd nanoparticles (NPs). Bentonite, a porous substrate with a high surface area of 47 m2/g, was employed for the deposition of Pd NPs via physical mixing. The morphological study of nanocomposite indicated that the spherically shaped Pd NPs with a diameter of 20–27 nm are successfully deposited on the bentonite substrate. The as-prepared nanocomposites were loaded on stainless steel electrode through drop-casting and their hydrogen storage capacity was determined via cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV measurement of the B/Pdx electrodes (x is laser ablation times of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min) in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte at the scan rate of 100 mV/s at room temperature demonstrated good hydrogen storage capacity (37 C/g) and stability during 200 scans. [Display omitted] •The LAL method was applied as an eco-friendly approach for preparation of Pd NPs.•Pd NPs were deposited on the bentonite via physical mixing.•Electrochemical hydrogen storage performance of B/Pd was evaluated by CV.•Electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity of B/Pd30 was obtained 37 C/g.