Influence of CO2 activation on hydrogen storage behaviors of platinum-loaded activated carbon nanotubes

In this work, platinum (Pt) metal loaded activated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared with different structural characteristics for hydrogen storage applications. The process was conducted by a gas phase CO2 activation method at 1200 °C as a function of the CO2 flow time. Pt-loaded activated MWNTs were also formulated to investigate the hydrogen storage characteristics. The microstructures of the Pt-loaded activated MWNTs were characterized by XRD and TEM measurements. The textural properties of the samples were analyzed using N2 adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The BET, D–R, and BJH equations were used to observe the specific surface areas and the micropore and mesopore structures. The hydrogen storage capacity of the Pt-loaded activated MWNTs was measured at 298 K at a pressure of 100 bar. The hydrogen storage capacity was increased with CO2 flow time. It was found that the micropore volume of the activated MWNTs plays a key role in the hydrogen storage capacity.