The potential of organic polymer-based hydrogen storage materials

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2007 Apr 21;9(15):1802-8. doi: 10.1039/b618053a. Epub 2007 Feb 16.

Abstract

The challenge of storing hydrogen at high volumetric and gravimetric density for automotive applications has prompted investigations into the potential of cryo-adsorption on the internal surface area of microporous organic polymers. A range of Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) has been studied, the best PIM to date (a network-PIM incorporating a triptycene subunit) taking up 2.7% H(2) by mass at 10 bar/77 K. HyperCrosslinked Polymers (HCPs) also show promising performance as H(2) storage materials, particularly at pressures >10 bar. The N(2) and H(2) adsorption behaviour at 77 K of six PIMs and a HCP are compared. Surface areas based on Langmuir plots of H(2) adsorption at high pressure are shown to provide a useful guide to hydrogen capacity, but Langmuir plots based on low pressure data underestimate the potential H(2) uptake. The micropore distribution influences the form of the H(2) isotherm, a higher concentration of ultramicropores (pore size <0.7 nm) being associated with enhanced low pressure adsorption.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Energy Transfer
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Organic Chemicals
  • Polymers
  • Hydrogen