Hydrogen storage in carbon nanotubes and their composites
This project investigates the rational design and development of novel nanomaterials for on-board practical hydrogen storage in fuel cell electrical vehicles (FCEV). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a unique tubular structure that facilitates hydrogen diffusion and transport. CNTs can significantly enhance the hydrogen storage properties in materials that suffer from disadvantages such as high-temperature charging and slow kinetics. The high re/dehydrogenation temperature and slow rate are the major limitations for Mg-based materials for hydrogen storage. We are investigating the effects of CNTs (purified or as prepared single-wall and multi-wall CNTs) on hydrogen diffusion, interactions of C-H-Mg and doped metals-H-Mg and hydrogen ad/desorption behaviour in order to understand the catalytic mechanisms of re/dehydrogenation in CNTs (doped with catalytic metals) enhanced Mg-based nanocomposites.
