Effect of piezoelectric material on hydrogen adsorption

In hydrogen storage applications, the primary issue for physisorption of hydrogen onto solid-state materials is the weak interaction force between hydrogen molecules and the adsorbents. It is found that enhanced adsorption can be obtained under an external electric field, because it appears the electric field increases the hydrogen adsorption energy. Experiments were carried out to determine hydrogen adsorption on activated carbon using the piezoelectric material PMN-PT as the charge supplier under hydrogen pressure. Results indicate that more than 20% hydrogen adsorption enhancement was obtained. Parameters related to hydrogen adsorption enhancement include the amount of the charge and temperature. Higher voltage and lower temperature promote the increase of adsorption capacity but room temperature results are very encouraging.