Enhanced hydrogen storage performance in Pd3Co decorated nitrogen/boron doped graphene composites

In order to harness the potential of hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier, overcoming the barrier related to its storage is of utmost importance. In this direction, it has been shown that dissociation of hydrogen molecules into atoms followed by their adsorption onto high surface area nanomaterials like reduced graphene oxide is a promising pathway. In the present study, we have exploited this pathway, commonly known as the “spillover mechanism” and achieved a hydrogen storage capacity of ～4.6 wt% at 30 bar and 25 °C in Pd₃Co decorated boron doped graphene composite. We demonstrate that optimum loading of transition metal alloy nanoparticles coupled with heteroatom (nitrogen or boron) doped graphene support is an efficient, easy and cost effective avenue towards meeting the US department of energy (DOE) targets for gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity at room temperature and moderate pressures.