The study of controlling pore size on electrospun carbon nanofibers for hydrogen adsorption

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by using electrospinning method and heat treatment to get the media for hydrogen adsorption storage. Potassium hydroxide and zinc chloride activations were conducted to increase specific surface area and pore volume of CNFs. To investigate the relation between pore structure and the capacity of hydrogen adsorption, textural properties of activated CNFs were studied with micropore size distribution, specific surface area, and total pore volume by using BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface analyzer apparatus and the capacity of hydrogen adsorption was evaluated by PCT (pressure-composition-temperature) hydrogen adsorption analyzer apparatus with volumetric method. The surface morphology of activated CNFs was observed by SEM (scanning electron microscope) images to investigate the surface change through activation. Even though specific surface area and total pore volume were important factors for increasing the capacity of hydrogen adsorption, the pore volume which has pore width (0.6-0.7 nm) was a much more effective factor than specific surface area and pore volume in PAN-based electrospun activated CNFs.     

Preparation and characterization of ordered porous carbons for increasing hydrogen storage behaviors

We prepared ordered porous carbons (PCs) by using a replication method that had well-organized mesoporous silica as a template with various carbonization temperatures in order to investigate the possibility of energy storage materials. The microstructure and morphologies of the samples are characterized by XRD, TEM, and FT-Raman spectroscopy. N₂ adsorption isotherms are analyzed by the t-plot method, as well as the BET and the H–K method in order to characterize the specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution of the samples, respectively. The capacity of the hydrogen adsorption of the samples is evaluated by BEL-HP at 77 K and 1 bar. From the results, we are able to confirm that the synthesis of the samples can be accurately governed by the carbonization temperature, which is one of the effective parameters for developing the textural properties of the carbon materials, which affects the behaviors of the hydrogen storage.     

Tetrahydrofuran-induced K and Li doping onto poly(furfuryl alcohol)-derived activated carbon (PFAC): influence on microstructure and H2 sorption properties

We have doped poly(furfuryl alcohol)-derived activated carbon (PFAC) with two alkali metals, potassium (K) and lithium (Li), by previously reacting the metals with naphthalene in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (THF), followed by introducing them to pristine PFAC. The THF molecule causes a minor alteration of the microstructure of PFAC as confirmed by Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction, and pore textural analysis. Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction indicated a slight localized ordering toward the stacking defects of disordered carbon, as in PFAC, which can be attributed to the movement of THF molecules within the internal planes of graphene sheets. Pore textural analysis confirmed the lowering of the specific surface area and pore volume of both K- and Li-doped PFACs (BET SSA, 1378 m(2)/g (PFAC); 1252 m(2)/g (K-PFAC), 1081 m(2)/g (Li-PFAC)). Volumetric hydrogen adsorption measurements at temperatures of 298, 288, 273, and 77 K and pressures of up to 1 bar indicated the enhanced adsorption potential imposed by the presence of alkali metals, which can be reconfirmed by the elevated heats of adsorption of metal-doped PFACs (Li-PFAC, -(10-11) kJ/mol; K-PFAC, -(16-19) kJ/mol) compared to that of pristine PFAC (-9.6 kJ/mol).     

Hydrogen adsorption in transition metal carbon nano-structures

Templated microporous carbons were synthesized from metal impregnated zeolite Y templates. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize morphology and structure of the generated carbon materials. The surface area, micro- and meso-pore volumes, as well as the pore size distribution of all the carbon materials were determined by N₂ adsorption at 77 K and correlated to their hydrogen storage capacity. All the hydrogen adsorption isotherms were Type 1 and reversible, indicating physisorption at 77 K. Most templated carbons show good hydrogen storage with the best sample Rh-C having surface area 1817 m²/g and micropore volume 1.04 cm³/g, achieving the highest as 8.8 mmol/g hydrogen storage capacity at 77 K, 1 bar. Comparison between activated carbons and synthesized templated carbons revealed that the hydrogen adsorption in the latter carbon samples occurs mainly by pore filling and smaller pores of sizes around 6 Å to 8 Å are filled initially, followed by larger micropores. Overall, hydrogen adsorption was found to be dependent on the micropore volume as well as the pore-size, larger micropore volumes showing higher hydrogen adsorption capacity.     

Effect of ozone treatment on ammonia removal of activated carbons

In this work, activated carbons (ACs) were modified by ozone treatment to enhance the efficiency of removal of ammonia gas over the ACs. Surface properties of the ACs were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and N2 adsorption isotherms at 77 K were investigated by BET and D-A methods to characterize the specific surface area, total pore volume, and micropore volume. The ammonia removal efficiency was confirmed by the gas-detecting tube technique. The results showed that the specific surface area and micropore volume of ACs were slightly destroyed as the ozone treatment time increased. However, the ozone treatment led to an increase in ammonia removal efficiency of ACs, mainly due to an increase of acid functional groups, such as carbonyl and ether groups, on carbon surfaces. It was revealed that the improvement of ammonia removal efficiency of ACs was greatly affected by the interfacial acid-base interactions between modified ACs and basic ammonia adsorbate.     

Influence of oxygen plasma treatment on hydrogen chloride removal of activated carbon fibers

The oxygen plasma treatment of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) was carried out to introduce oxygen-containing groups onto carbon surfaces. Surface properties of the ACFs were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). N2/77 K adsorption isotherms were investigated by BET and D-R plot methods to characterize specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution. The efficiency of hydrochloride removal was confirmed by two kinds of methods; one is detecting tubes (range: 1-40 ppm), and the other is a gas chromatography technique. As experimental results, the hydrochloride removal efficiency of the ACFs was increased with the number of plasma treatment times up to around 300%, resulting from newly formed oxygen-containing functional groups (especially phenolic and carboxylic) on carbon surfaces, in the decreased specific surface areas or pore volumes. These results indicate that the plasma treatment leads to the increase of hydrochloride removal due to the improvement of surface functional groups containing oxygen on the carbon surfaces.     

Effect of the chemical and structural modification of CMK-3 mesoporous carbon molecular sieve on hydrogen adsorption

The effect of the conditions of postsynthetic modification of CMK-3 carbon mesoporous molecular sieves on their structural and adsorption properties was studied. The specific surface, volume, pore size, and hydrogen adsorption are markedly enhanced upon activation of CMK-3 by thermal, steam, and chemical treatment using H₂, CO₂, H₂O₂, and HNO₃. Analysis of the occupancy density of the mesopore surface indicated increased hydrogen adsorption capacity of the hydrogen-activated carbon surface of CMK-3. Hydrogen adsorption is increased from 1.20 to 2.23 mass % at 1 atm and 77 K by steam treatment. This effect may be employed to create efficient carbon MMS adsorbents, including composite adsorbents, for the accumulation and storage of hydrogen at high pressure (adsorption >6 mass %).     

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.     

Specific and non-specific interactions of procaine with activated carbon surfaces

The adsorption of procaine on eight activated carbon surfaces from simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was evaluated using a rotating bottle method and isoperibol calorimetry. The adsorption data were fit using the modified Langmuir-like equation to calculate the non-specific and specific adsorption capacities. The surface atomic compositions were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A linear relationship was found between the relative non-specific adsorption capacity and the unoxidized hydrocarbon content of the activated carbon surfaces, which indicated that the non-specific adsorption site for procaine is the bare carbon surface. The apparent area occupied per procaine molecule, calculated from the specific capacity, was linearly correlated to the sum of the relative percentages of the C-O and O-C=O functional states on the surfaces. This suggested that the primary adsorption sites for procaine on the activated carbon surfaces were the oxygen-containing functional states of C-O and O-C=O, where procaine was adsorbed via hydrogen bonding. The differential heats of displacement for procaine on the four activated carbon surfaces are approximately equal to each other, which indicated that the interactions between procaine and the functional states on all surfaces are energetically equivalent.     

Storage of hydrogen at 303 K in graphite slitlike pores from grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were used for the modeling of the hydrogen adsorption in idealized graphite slitlike pores. In all simulations, quantum effects were included through the Feynman and Hibbs second-order effective potential. The simulated surface excess isotherms of hydrogen were used for the determination of the total hydrogen storage, density of hydrogen in graphite slitlike pores, distribution of pore sizes and volumes, enthalpy of adsorption per mole, total surface area, total pore volume, and average pore size of pitch-based activated carbon fibers. Combining experimental results with simulations reveals that the density of hydrogen in graphite slitlike pores at 303 K does not exceed 0.014 g/cm(3), that is, 21% of the liquid-hydrogen density at the triple point. The optimal pore size for the storage of hydrogen at 303 K in the considered pore geometry depends on the pressure of storage. For lower storage pressures, p < 30MPa, the optimal pore width is equal to a 2.2 collision diameter of hydrogen (i.e., 0.65 nm), whereas, for p congruent with 50MPa, the pore width is equal to an approximately 7.2 collision diameter of hydrogen (i.e., 2.13 nm). For the wider pores, that is, the pore width exceeds a 7.2 collision diameter of hydrogen, the surface excess of hydrogen adsorption is constant. The importance of quantum effects is recognized in narrow graphite slitlike pores in the whole range of the hydrogen pressure as well as in wider ones at high pressures of bulk hydrogen. The enthalpies of adsorption per mole for the considered carbonaceous materials are practically constant with hydrogen loading and vary within the narrow range q(st) congruent with 7.28-7.85 kJ/mol. Our systematic study of hydrogen adsorption at 303 K in graphite slitlike pores gives deep insight into the timely problem of hydrogen storage as the most promising source of clean energy. The calculated maximum storage of hydrogen is equal to approximately 1.4 wt %, which is far from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) target (i.e., 6.5 wt %), thus concluding that the total storage amount of hydrogen obtained at 303 K in graphite slitlike pores of carbon fibers is not sufficient yet.     

汉麻杆基活性炭表面织构与储氢性能的研究

以天然汉麻杆为原料,采用KOH化学活化的方法改变活化时间制备出了高比表面积活性炭,并且对其表面进行硝酸氧化处理,研究活性炭表面化学状态对其吸附性能的影响。采用77 K低温氮气吸附和FTIR对样品进行了表征,并在77 K、100 kPa的条件下测定样品的氢气吸附等温线。结果表明,所有样品具有较高的比表面积(2 435.93～3 240.95 m²·g^-1)和总孔容(1.3～1.98 cm³·g^-1),且随活化时间的延长而增加,3.5 h达到最大值,之后由于骨架坍塌有所减小。所有样品的孔径分布较为一致呈多峰型分布,主要以小于2 nm的微孔为主,同时含有少量的中孔和大孔。活化3.5 h样品的吸氢量最大,达到3.28wt%。研究发现,吸氢量受比表面积和孔容等参数影响较大,77 K下不仅小于2 nm的微孔对活性炭吸氢行为贡献较大,中孔也有十分重要的影响。样品经硝酸氧化处理后,BET比表面积和总孔容均在一定程度上减小,而氢气吸附量也有所降低。     

Effect of acidic treatment on metal adsorptions of pitch-based activated carbon fibers

In this work, the pitch-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were prepared by nitric acid to investigate the multi-metal adsorption in interfacial and textural points of view. N2/77 K adsorption isotherm characteristics, including the specific surface area and micropore volume, were studied by BET specific surface area and t-plot methods, respectively. As a result, the specific surface area of the almost neutral ACFs in nature significantly decreased with nitric acid treatment, probably due to the widening of micropores. However the total acidity, including the carboxyl groups, on carbon surfaces was extremely induced during the acidic surface treatment. From the adsorptions of Cu2+ and Ni2+, it was revealed that the adsorption capacity of metal ions was mainly influenced by the weakly acidic functional groups such as lactones on the carbon surfaces at pH < pI (isoelectric point), and by the strongly acidic functional groups such as carboxyl groups at pH > pI.     

活性碳纤维的结构修饰及其吸附氙性能的研究

活性炭纤维对氙的吸附容量与其孔结构密切相关，为了提高活性炭纤维对氙气的吸附容量，本文分别用亚甲基蓝、对硝基苯酚等有机物，或氯化钠、碘等无机化合物填充的方法修饰活性炭纤维的孔结构；以及利用高锰酸钾或硝酸等氧化处理修饰活性炭纤维的表面化学性质，同时，利用低温氮等温吸附表征了这些改性活性炭纤维的孔结构，以及通过光电子能谱表征了改性活性炭纤维的表面化学结构，上述化合物充填或氧化改性活性炭纤维对氙的吸附性能的研究结果表明，适量化合物填充，或合适浓度硝酸对活性炭纤维的表面处理，可以有效地修饰活性炭纤维的孔结构或改变活性炭纤维表面对氙的亲和力。因而可有效地提高改性活性炭纤维对氙的吸附容量。     

有序中孔炭的电化学储氢性能

将蔗糖、聚环氧乙烯-聚环氧丙烯-聚环氧乙烯三嵌段共聚物和硅源构成的复合物进行预炭化、炭化和除硅处理合成出有序中孔炭, 采用XRD、TEM、HRTEM和N2吸脱附等手段对其进行表征, 并将有序中孔炭制成电极开展恒流充放电储氢性能研究. 结果显示, 具有较高比表面积(720 m2·g-1)和孔容(0.86 cm3·g-1)的有序中孔炭材料的电化学储氢容量为70.1 mAh·g-1, 高于具有相对较低比表面积(610 m2·g-1)和孔容(0.66 cm3·g-1)的有序中孔炭储氢容量(64.1 mAh·g-1). 通过与单壁碳纳米管电极(25.9 mAh·g-1)的对比, 表明有序中孔炭具有良好的电化学储氢性能和更高的电化学活性.     

The physical and surface chemical characteristics of activated carbons and the adsorption of methylene blue from wastewater

Adsorption of a basic dye, methylene blue, from aqueous solutions onto as-received activated carbons and acid-treated carbons was investigated. The physical and surface chemical properties of the activated carbons were characterized using BET-N(2) adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and mass titration. It was found that acid treatment had little effect on carbon textural characteristics but significantly changed the surface chemical properties, resulting in an adverse effect on dye adsorption. The physical properties of activated carbon, such as surface area and pore volume, have little effect on dye adsorption, while the pore size distribution and the surface chemical characteristics play important roles in dye adsorption. The pH value of the solution also influences the adsorption capacity significantly. For methylene blue, a higher pH of solution favors the adsorption capacity. The kinetic adsorption of methylene blue on all carbons follows a pseudo-second-order equation.     

Synthesis,characterization, and KOH activation of nanoporous carbon for increasing CO2 adsorption capacity

Ordered nanoporous carbons (ONCs) were prepared using a soft-templating method. To improve the CO₂ adsorption efficiency, ONCs were chemically activated to obtain high specific surface area and micro-/mesopore volume with different KOH amounts (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) as an activating agent. The prepared nanoporous carbons (NCs) materials were analyzed by low-angle X-ray diffraction for confirmation of synthesized ONCs structures. The structural properties of the NCs materials were analyzed by high-angle X-ray diffraction. The textural properties of the NCs materials were examined using the N₂/77 K adsorption isotherms according to the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller equation. The CO₂ adsorption capacity was measured by CO₂ isothermal adsorption at 298 K/1 bar. From the results, the NCs activated with KOH showed that the increasing specific surface areas and total pore volumes resulted in the enhancement of CO₂ adsorption capacity.     

H2 storage in carbon materials

In this work a series of commercial carbons with different structural and textural properties were characterised and evaluated for their application in hydrogen storage. The results showed that temperature has a greater influence on the storage capacity of carbons than pressure. The highest H₂ storage capacity at 298 K and 90 bar was 0.5 wt%, while at 77 K and atmospheric pressure it was 2.9 wt%. It is also showed that, in order to predict the hydrogen storage capacity of carbon material both at cryogenic and ambient temperature, the only use of BET surface area or total micropore volume obtained from N₂ adsorption isotherm may be insufficient, the characterization of the narrow microporosity is needed due to its high contribution to hydrogen adsorption capacity. The process involved in hydrogen storage in pure carbon materials seems to be physisorption. Morphological or structural characteristics have no influence, at least on gravimetric storage capacity.     

Hydrogen production from bio-oil by chemical looping reforming

Hydrogen is a green energy carrier. Chemical looping reforming of biomass and its derivatives is a promising way for hydrogen production. However, the removal of carbon dioxide is costly and inefficient with the traditional chemical absorption methods. The objective of this article is to find a new material with low energy consumption and high capacity for carbon dioxide storage. A metal organic framework (MOF) material (e.g., CuBTC) was prepared using the hydrothermal synthesis method. The synthesized material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, ?196 °C N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms, and thermogravimetry analysis to obtain its physical properties. Then BET, t-plot, and density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to acquire its specific surface area and pore textural properties. Its carbon dioxide adsorption capacity was evaluated using a micromeritics ASAP 2000 instrument. The results show that the decomposition temperature of the synthesized CuBTC material is 300 °C. Besides, high CO₂ adsorption capacity (4 mmol g^?1) and low N₂ adsorption capacity were obtained at 0 °C and atmospheric pressure. These results indicate that the synthesized MOF material has a high efficiency for CO₂ separation. From this study, it is expected that this MOF material could be used in adsorption and separation of carbon dioxide in chemical looping reforming process for hydrogen production in the near future.     

碳化硅衍生碳/球形天然石墨复合材料的制备及其结构调控

为满足储能领域对于材料兼具高能量密度和高功率密度的需求, 本文旨在将具有特殊孔隙结构的碳化物衍生碳与具有高导电性和高能量存储密度的石墨化碳(球形天然石墨)相复合, 制备得到一种多孔碳化硅衍生碳/球形天然石墨(SiC-CDCs@NG)复合材料. 采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、拉曼光谱、N₂吸/脱附等方法对材料的组成、结构、形貌、孔结构和比表面积等进行了表征. 结果表明,SiC-CDCs@NG材料具有较大的且可调节的比表面积和微孔体积, 微孔孔径集中在0.5-0.7 nm范围内; 通过改变NG/Si 摩尔比, 可以有效调控CDCs壳和NG核在复合材料中的组成分布、CDCs微孔的体积、孔径分布和比表面积.     

Adsorption behavior of propylamine on activated carbon fiber surfaces as induced by oxygen functional complexes

In this study, the surfaces of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were modified by nitric acid to introduce surface oxygen complexes and to observe the influence of those complexes on the propylamine adsorption of the ACFs. It was found that the oxygen complexes including carboxylic and phenolic groups were predominantly increased, resulting in the increase of total surface acidity. However, the specific surface areas and the total pore volumes of the modified ACFs were decreased by 5-8% due to the increased blocking (or demolition) of micropores in the presence of newly introduced complexes. Despite the decrease of textural properties, it was found that the amount of propylamine adsorbed by the modified ACFs was increased by approximately 17%. From the XPS results, it was observed that propylamine reacted with strong or weak acidic groups, such as COOH or OH, on the ACF surfaces, resulting in the formation of pyrrolic-, pyridonic-, or pyridine-like structures.