Synthesis and characterization of MnPS3 for hydrogen sorption

Single phase MnPS3 powder was prepared by solid state reaction between Mn, S and P carried out at 650 °C in evacuated silica tube. The structure, morphology and sorption characteristics of the prepared solid were investigated. The results revealed that the obtained MnPS3 compound was capable of adsorbing 3.5 wt% hydrogen at −193 °C and a pressure of 30 bar. Little amount of hydrogen (0.07 wt%) was adsorbed at room temperature. The hydrogen adsorption/desorption cycles at various temperatures did not result in irreversible chemical structural changes of the MnPS3 compound, but the microstructure after hydrogen cycling diminished and became finer.