High performance nanoporous carbon membranes for air separation

The preparation of porous stainless steel supports was found to have a significant impact on the properties of nanoporous carbon membranes fabricated upon them. Nanofillers were incorporated into porous stainless steel supports to modify the pore structure by reducing the average pore size and porosity. Carbon membrane properties were examined as a function of support variables such as filler content, shape, size and nature of the particles. Optimum performances, in terms of the ideal selectivity ratio for oxygen to nitrogen permeances (S_O2/N2∼3-6) and the oxygen permeance (10⁻⁸ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹), were obtained when the filler completely saturated the support. This represents about a two order of magnitude improvement in oxygen permeance when compared to carbon membranes prepared on unmodified porous stainless steel supports. The origin of the improvement in the permeance is due to the formation of carbon membranes which are on average two orders of magnitude thinner than those formed on unmodified supports, i.e., the carbon membranes exists as very thin layers around and between the silica nanoparticles. A simple geometric model based on the packing of silica particles inside the porous stainless steel support is proposed to visualize and quantify this effect. The generality of the support modification concept is also demonstrated by the ability to employ different types of nanofillers and support geometries to obtain carbon membranes with high flux. Air separation experiments show that these membranes can produce both oxygen rich streams enriched to as much as 48% by volume and nitrogen rich streams enriched to over 90% by volume at reasonable operating conditions.     

New insights on electrochemical hydrogen storage in nanoporous carbons by in situ Raman spectroscopy

In situ Raman spectroscopy was exploited to analyze the interaction between carbon and hydrogen during electrochemical hydrogen storage at cathodic conditions. Two different activated carbons were used and characterized by different electrochemical techniques in two electrolytes (6 M KOH and 0.5 M Na₂SO₄). The in situ Raman spectra collected showed that, in addition to the D and G bands associated to the graphitic carbons, two bands appear simultaneously at about 1110 and 1500 cm⁻¹ under cathodic conditions, and then they disappear when the potential increases to more positive values. This indicates that carbon–hydrogen bonds are formed reversibly in both electrolytes during cathodic conditions. Comparing the two activated carbons, it was confirmed that, in both electrolytes, the hydrogenation of carbon atoms is produced more easily for the sample with lower amount of surface oxygen groups. In KOH medium, for the two samples, the formation of carbon–hydrogen bonds proceeds at more positive potential with respect to the thermodynamic potential value for hydrogen evolution. Furthermore, changes in the shape of the D band (due to an intensity increase of the D1 band) during the formation of carbon–hydrogen bonds suggest that hydrogenation of the carbon atoms increases the number of edge planes.     

The optimum average nanopore size for hydrogen storage in carbon nanoporous materials

A thermodynamical model of hydrogen storage in slitpores is presented and applied to carbon and BN nanoporous materials. The model accounts for the quantum effects of the molecules in the confining potential of the slitpores. A feature of the model is a new equation of state (EOS) of hydrogen, valid over a range of pressures wider than any other known EOS, obtained using experimental data in the range 77-300 K and 0-1000 MPa, including data in the region of solid hydrogen. The model reproduces the experimental hydrogen storage properties of different samples of activated carbons and carbide-derived carbons at 77 and 298 K and at pressures between 0 and 20 MPa, for an average nanopore width of about 5 Å. The model predicts that in order to reach the US Department of Energy hydrogen storage targets for 2010, the nanopore widths should be equal to or larger than 5.6 Å for applications at low temperatures, 77 K, and any pressure, and about 6 Å for applications at 300 K and at least 10 MPa.     

Synthesis of hollow carbon nano-onions and their use for electrochemical hydrogen storage

In this study, we report an efficient method for synthesis of well-graphitized hollow carbon nano-onions (CNOs). CNOs were firstly fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method at 850 °C using an Fe–Ni alloy catalyst with diameters of 10–15 nm. Then hollow CNOs were obtained by annealing as-prepared CNOs at 1100 °C for 3 h. It is found that during the CVD growth, the presence of nickel retards the deactivation of Fe–Ni–C austenite, providing the possibility for the growth of up to two hollow CNOs from each alloy particle. The subsequent high-temperature annealing led to the escaping of the Fe–Ni alloy from the graphitic layers, and the re-catalysis of precipitation and graphitization of the carbon atoms previously dissolved in the alloy particle (Fe_0.64Ni_0.36) to form hollow CNOs. The hollow CNOs exhibit good performance as materials for electrochemical hydrogen storage, with a discharge capacity of 481.6 mAh/g under a current density of 500 mA/g, corresponding to a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.76 wt.%. Our results demonstrate that the hollow CNOs are promising materials as a storage medium for hydrogen as a fuel source.     

Exceptional electrochemical performance of nitrogen-doped porous carbon for lithium storage

Crumpled nitrogen-doped porous carbon sheets are successfully fabricated via chemical activation of polypyrrole-functionalized graphene sheets with KOH (APGs). The obtained APGs with nitrogen doping, high surface area, porous and crumpled structure exhibit exceptional electrochemical performances as the electrode material for LIBs, including a superhigh reversible specific capacity of 1516.2 mAh g⁻¹, excellent cycling stability over 10,000 cycles, and good rate capability (133.2 mAh g⁻¹ even at a very high current density of 40 A g⁻¹). The chemical activation synthesis strategy might open new avenues for the design of high-performance carbon-based anode materials.     

Characterisation of steam-treated nanoporous carbide-derived carbon of TiC origin: structure and enhanced electrochemical performance

Modifications of pore size distribution and structural order of nanoporous carbide-derived carbon (CDC) materials with variety of surface areas and pore sizes were investigated using physical activation by etching with water vapour. Variable etching duration was used to explore the activation impact on the pore size distribution and the adsorption behaviour of TiC-derived carbon. A distribution of micro- and mesopores, modified during physical activation, was studied using N₂ and CO₂ adsorption. Notable impact of preceding carbon structure on the activation product was revealed by the results of scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. An infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that water-induced etching of CDC followed by high-temperature treatment in inert gas atmosphere does not change notably the total amount of surface oxygen, however, leads to the changes in a composition of oxygen containing functional groups in post-activated carbon. The electrochemical evaluation was performed in triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate/acetonitrile electrolyte to elaborate the structure-electrochemical properties relationships on post-activated nanoporous CDC materials. It was observed that the degree of improvement in double-layer capacitance achievable with a steam-treatment significantly depends on the preceding properties of CDC prior treatment, whereby the highest capacitance, ~?160 Fg^?1, was reached for the steam-treated TiC-derived CDC made at 800 °C, which clearly is a very promising material for the electrical double-layer capacitor.     

High capacitance properties of polyaniline by electrochemical deposition on a porous carbon substrate

Electrochemical deposition of polyaniline (PANI) is carried out on a porous carbon substrate for supercapacitor studies. The effect of substrate is studied by comparing the results obtained using platinum, stainless steel and porous carbon substrates. PANI deposited at 100 mV s⁻¹ sweep rate by potentiodynamic technique on porous carbon substrate is found to possess superior capacitance properties. Experimental variables, namely, concentrations of aniline monomer and H₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte are varied and arrived at the optimum concentrations to obtain a maximum capacitance of PANI. Low concentrations of both aniline and H₂SO₄, which produce PANI at low rates, are desirable. The PANI deposits prepared under these conditions possess network morphology of nanofibrils. Capacitance values as high as 1600 F g⁻¹ are obtained and PANI coated carbon electrodes facilitate charge-discharge current densities as high as 45 mA cm⁻² (19.8 A g⁻¹). Electrodes are found to be fairly stable over a long cycle-life, although there is some capacitance loss during the initial stages of cycling.     

Effect of surface chemistry on electrochemical storage of hydrogen in porous carbon materials

Porous carbon materials, with different porosities and surface chemistry have been prepared and characterized to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of the electrochemical storage of hydrogen. The hydrogen storage capacity depends, not only on the porosity of the material, but also on the surface chemistry, which is a critical factor. The results show that the higher the amount of surface oxygen groups, the lower is the hydrogen uptake. Measurement of the number of active carbon sites shows the important role of the unsaturated carbon atoms in the process. In situ Raman spectroscopy has been used in order to further explore the structural changes in the carbon material during the charge-discharge processes. This technique has allowed us to observe the formation of the C(sp²)H bonds during the cathodic process and its reversibility during the oxidation step.     

Nanoporous rice husk derived carbon for gas storage and high performance electrochemical energy storage

We report on the gas storage behaviour and electrochemical charge storage properties of high surface area activated nanoporous carbon obtained from rice husk through low temperature chemical activation approach. Rice husk derived porous carbon (RHDPC) exhibits varying porous characteristics upon activation at different temperatures and we observed high gas uptake and efficient energy storage properties for nanoporous carbon materials activated even at a moderate activation temperature of 500 °C. Various experimental techniques including Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and pore size analyser are employed to characterise the samples. Detailed studies on gas adsorption behaviour of CO₂, H₂ and CH₄ on RHDPCs have been performed at different temperatures using a volumetric gas analyser. High adsorption capacities of ~9.4 mmol g^?1 (298 K, 20 bar), 1.8 wt% (77 K, 10 bar) and ~5 mmol g^?1 (298 K, 40 bar) were obtained respectively for CO₂, H₂ and CH₄, superior to many other carbon based physical adsorbents reported so far. In addition, these nanoporous carbon materials exhibit good electrochemical performance as supercapacitor electrodes and a maximum specific capacitance of 112 F g^?1 has been obtained using aqueous 1 M Na₂SO₄ as electrolyte. Our studies thus demonstrate that nanoporous carbon with high porosity and surface area, obtained through an efficient approach, can act as effective materials for gas storage and electrochemical energy storage applications.     

Synthesis and electrochemical study of nanoporous Pd-Ag alloys for hydrogen sorption

We report on the synthesis of novel nanoporous Pd-Ag electrocatalysts using a facile hydrothermal method where the portion of Ag was varied from 0 to 40%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphologies of the prepared nanoporous materials. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) were used to directly and indirectly characterize the composition of the formed Pd-Ag nanostructures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the formed Pd-Ag nanomaterials were alloys with a face-centered cubic structure. Electrochemical methods were used to study the capacity and kinetics of hydrogen sorption into the nanoporous Pd and Pd-Ag alloys. The nanoporous Pd-Ag alloy with 20% silver possesses the highest capacity for the α phase hydrogen sorption, which is over 4 times higher than the pure nanoporous Pd. The combination of the enhanced α phase hydrogen sorption capacity and diminishing of the α- and β-phase transition makes the nanoporous Pd-Ag alloys promising for hydrogen selective membranes and hydrogen dissociation catalysts.     

基于电化学性能的La-Mg-Ni系储氢合金的成分优化

以La-Mg-Ni系A2B7型储氢合金为研究对象,系统分析了合金A、B侧元素含量对其电化学性能的影响。对La1-m-n-y Pr m Nd n Mg y(Ni1-z Co z)x合金的容量和衰减速率进行了讨论。结果表明,合金容量随B/A值的增大先增大后减小,当x=3.5时,合金的容量最大,衰减速率最小;最佳的合金配比为La0.5Pr0.2Nd0.1Mg0.2(Ni0.8Co0.2)3.5。XRD分析表明,La1-m-n-y Pr m Nd n Mg y(Ni1-z Co z)x的合金主相结构均为Ce2Ni7型La2Ni7相。     

Porous polyaniline exhibits highly enhanced electrochemical capacitance performance

Porous polyaniline (PANI) is prepared by using sodium dodecylsulfate as a soft template and ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. Transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms suggest the existence of both macro/mesopores and micropores, and the specific surface area of 211 m² g⁻¹. As a result of its porous structure, the porous PANI exhibits highly enhanced utilization ratio during the charge-discharge cycles. This porous PANI also displays high cycle stability and rate capability.     

孔活性炭储存CH4的分子模拟

吸附天然气被认为是未来最具有发展前景的CH₄储存方式之一,其中的关键是寻找合适的吸附剂,使其具有良好的CH₄吸脱附性能。以纳米多孔碳材料作为多孔活性炭的结构,采用巨正则蒙特卡洛（GCMC）和平衡分子动力学（EMD）的方法研究CH₄在纳米多孔碳材料中的吸附和扩散行为,通过考察不同因素的影响,期望获得高的CH₄吸附量和自扩散系数。其中,研究的主要因素有：构成多孔碳材料的石墨片微元的大小、多孔碳材料的不同密度、多孔碳材料的表面基团改性。结果表明：多孔碳材料对CH₄的吸附受石墨片微元种类和混合比例的影响不大;在所研究的多孔碳材料密度范围内,存在最优密度,能够获得最大的CH₄吸附量,此最优密度在0.50 g·cm^-3左右,但是多孔碳材料的表面经羟基修饰后,最佳材料密度发生了偏移,此时最优密度在0.72 g·cm^-3左右;此外,经表面改性后的多孔碳材料吸附量大小顺序为：CH₃ > OH > CO > COOH;对于CH₄在多孔碳材料中的扩散,总体规律是低的密度,并且经过COOH修饰,其CH₄自扩散系数最大。     

Structure and electrochemical capacitance of carbon cryogels derived from phenol-formaldehyde resins

Highly porous carbon cryogels derived from phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin formulated in ethanol have been prepared and investigated. Different P/F molar ratios have been used for obtaining a series of alcogels that have been freeze-dried and next pyrolysed at 900 °C. Carbonaceous materials having different bulk densities and textural properties have thus been obtained. These materials were fully characterised by helium and mercury pycnometry, mercury porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption, and tested as porous electrodes of electrochemical double-layer capacitors working in 4 M H₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte. For that purpose, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge experiments have been carried out. The derived specific capacitances, around 100 F/g, were shown to depend strongly both on pore availability to the electrolyte and on average micropore width. The cryogel having the highest surface area and micropore volume is thus the one presenting the lowest capacitance because of its poorly accessible and too narrow microporosity.     

High dispersion and electrochemical capacitive performance of NiO on benzenesulfonic functionalized carbon nanotubes

This work describes an effective method to synthesize structurally uniform composite of nickel oxide/benzenesulfonic functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite (NiO/f-MWCNTs) using benzenesulfonic MWCNTs as the substrate. Benzenesulfonic group here is bifunctional both for solubilizing MWCNTs into aqueous solution and for tethering Ni²⁺ precursor onto MWCNTs surfaces to facilitate the follow-up chemical deposition of NiO by supplying surface binding and anchoring groups. The composite has a uniform surface dispersion and large coverage of NiO onto f-MWCNTs, which is characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements. The NiO/f-MWCNTs composite improved the utilization of electrochemical capacitive materials and delivered capacity of 384 F/g at the constant current of 0.20 A/g due to f-MWCNTs as substrate.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical capacitance of amino-functionalized carbon nanotube/carbon paper electrodes

Amino-functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) attached to carbon paper (CP) has been achieved using one synthesis protocol: (i) chemical oxidation, (ii) acyl chlorination, and (iii) amidation. The amidation reaction of the carboxylic groups in oxidized the CNT/CP hybrids enables the formation of terminal amino groups on the CNT sidewalls. The functionalized CNTs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermal programmed desorption, and N₂ adsorption. The cyclic voltammetry curves of an amino-modified CNT-based capacitor showed a continuum of double-layer and pseudocapacitive behavior. The presence of surface oxides and amides on CNTs imparts not only hydrophilic coverage for the formation of double-layer (double-layer capacitance) but also active sites for the redox reaction (pseudocapacitance). Based on the result of the charge/discharge cycling test, the N-modified CNT/CP capacitor exhibits an enhanced capacitance, high-rate capability, and capacitance stability with high coulombic efficiency.     

大容量镁基储氢材料及其储氢性能

结合Mg-C纳米晶复合储氢材料的研究,对目前大容量镁基储氢材料研究结果进行了分析,指出用机械合金化法制备Mg纳米晶可提高其储氢密度、改善其动力学性能,但材料放氢温度一般较高。作者课题组将碳微晶与Mg复合,并引入金属催化剂,以降低MgH2分解温度。差热扫描量热分析(DSC)表明Mg-C纳米晶复合储氢材料的初始放氢温度为201~240℃,降低了60~90℃,其热力学性能得到了较大的改善。