High-Density Hydrogen Storage in a 2D-Matrix from Graphene Nanoblisters: A Prospective Nanomaterial for Environmentally Friendly Technologies

• Published in: Crystals (Basel) 2018-04, Vol.8 (4), p.161
• Main Authors: Slepchenkov, Michael, Barkov, Pavel, Glukhova, Olga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D matrix; Adhesives; Atomic structure; Bond strength; Carbon; Chemical bonds; Crystal defects; Defects; Density; Energy; External pressure; Graphene; graphene nanoblister; Hydrogen; Hydrogen storage; local stress field; Mechanical properties; mechanical stability; Nanomaterials; Stress distribution; Structural stability; Substrates
• ISSN: 2073-4352; 2073-4352
• DOI: 10.3390/cryst8040161

In this paper, the atomic structure and mechanical stability of a new structural graphene modification—a 2D matrix of nanoscale cells in the form of a few-layer graphene substrate and nanoblister of a graphene monolayer—were studied for the first time. It is shown that such matrices are mechanically stable and are promising for environmentally friendly technologies. The calculated local atomic stress fields demonstrate that the atomic framework is not destroyed, even in the presence of defects in the atomic network of graphene nanoblister (Stone-Wales defect, double vacancies defect, ad-dimmer defect, and their combination). However, it was established that the presence of one or more SW defects leads to the appearance of critical stresses. These critical stresses can induce local bond breaking in the atomic network with an increase in temperature or external pressure. It was found that graphene nanoblister can store molecular hydrogen with a maximum density of 6.6 wt % for 1158 m2/g at 77 K under normal pressure.