Temperature Sensitive Nanocapsule of Complex Structural Form for Methane Storage

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters 2009-10, Vol.5 (1), p.205-210
• Main Authors: Volkova, E. I, Suyetin, M. V, Vakhrushev, A. V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Methane storage; Molecular dynamics; Nanocapsule
• ISSN: 1931-7573; 1556-276X; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-5-205

The processes of methane adsorption, storage and desorption by the nanocapsule are investigated with molecular-dynamic modeling method. The specific nanocapsule shape defines its functioning uniqueness: methane is adsorbed under 40 MPa and at normal temperature with further blocking of methane molecules the K@C60¹⁺ endohedral complex in the nanocapsule by external electric field, the storage is performed under normal external conditions, and methane desorption is performed at 350 K. The methane content in the nanocapsule during storage reaches 11.09 mass%. The nanocapsule consists of tree parts: storage chamber, junction and blocking chamber. The storage chamber comprises the nanotube (20,20). The blocking chamber is a short nanotube (20,20) with three holes. The junction consists of the nanotube (10,10) and nanotube (8,8); moreover, the nanotube (8,8) is connected with the storage chamber and nanotube (10,10) with the blocking chamber. The blocking chamber is opened and closed by the transfer of the K@C₆₀ ¹⁺ endohedral complex under electrostatic field action.