Ca2+- and Mg2+-doped covalent organic frameworks exhibiting high hydrogen and acetylene storage

A multiscale theoretical investigation has been performed to study the hydrogen and acetylene storage in Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-doped COFs (COF-105 and COF-108). The first-principles calculations show that the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ can be immobilized at the COFs surfaces, and the doped Ca and Mg cations can adsorb five H₂ molecules and three C₂H₂ molecules with ideal binding energies. The Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were carried out to obtain the hydrogen and acetylene uptakes of Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-doped COFs at room temperature in the different pressure ranges. Our results demonstrate that, at T = 298 K and p = 100 bar, the total gravimetric uptakes of H₂ in Ca²⁺-doped COF-105 and COF-108 reach 6.78 and 6.54 wt%, respectively, and a higher uptakes of 7.14 and 7.27 wt% have been reached for Mg²⁺-doped COF-105 and COF-108, respectively. At T = 298 K and p = 1 bar, the acetylene uptakes of Ca²⁺-doped COF-105, Ca²⁺-doped COF-108, Mg²⁺-doped COF-105, and Mg²⁺-doped COF-108 are 406.42, 366.24, 308.07, and 319.88 cm³/g (corresponding to the excess uptakes of 358.37, 316.38, 236.7109, and 245.42 cm³/g), respectively. The Ca²⁺-doped COF-105 displays a highest acetylene storage capacity among all materials reported. The Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-doped COFs can be very practical hydrogen or acetylene storage medium in the future.     

Computational design of tetrahedral silsesquioxane-based porous frameworks with diamond-like structure as hydrogen storage materials

A novel type of three-dimensional (3D) tetrahedral silsesquioxane-based porous frameworks (TSFs) with diamond-like structure was computationally designed using the density functional theory (DFT) and classical molecular mechanics (MM) calculations. The hydrogen adsorption and diffusion properties of these TSFs were evaluated by the methods of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results reveal that all designed materials possess extremely high porosity (87–93 %) and large H₂ accessible surface areas (5,268–6,544 m² g^?1). Impressively, the GCMC simulation results demonstrate that at 77 K and 100 bar, TSF-2 has the highest gravimetric H₂ capacity of 29.80 wt%, while TSF-1 has the highest volumetric H₂ uptake of 65.32 g L^?1. At the same time, the gravimetric H₂ uptake of TSF-2 can reach up to 4.28 wt% at the room temperature. The extraordinary performances of these TSF materials in hydrogen storage made them enter the rank of the top hydrogen storage materials so far.     

A theoretical study on the hydrogen storage properties of planar (AlN)<Subscript>n</Subscript> clusters (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 3-5)

The structures and hydrogen storage capacities of (AlN)_n (n = 3-5) clusters have been systematically investigated by using density functional theoretical calculations. At ωB97xD/6-311 + G(d, p) level, the planar structures of (AlN)_n (n = 3-5) can adsorb 6-10 H₂ molecules with average adsorption energies in the range 0.16 to 0.11 eV/H₂, which meet the adsorption energy criteria of reversible hydrogen storage. The gravimetric density of H₂ adsorbed on (AlN)_n clusters can reach 8.96 wt%, which exceed the target set by Department of Energy. The hydrogen adsorption energies with Gibbs free energy correction indicate that the adsorption of 6 H₂ in (AlN)₃, 8 H₂ in (AlN)₄ and 10 H₂ in (AlN)₅ is energetically favorable below 96.48, 61.43, and 34.21 K, respectively. These results are expected to motivate further the applications of clusters to be efficient hydrogen storage materials.     

Adsorption of molecular hydrogen on inorganometallic complexes B<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>M (M=Li,Be, Sc,Ti, V)

Molecular interaction between hydrogen molecules and B₂H₄M (M=Li, Be, Sc, Ti, V) complexes has been studied using the DFT method (M06 functional) and 6-311++G** basis set. The hydrogen uptake capacity of the complexes considered is higher than the target set by the US Department of Energy (5.5 wt% by 2020). The metal atom bound strongly to the B₂H₄ substrate. Adsorption of molecular hydrogen on Be-, Ti-, and V-decorated complexes is thermodynamically possible for all the pressures and temperatures considered whereas it is unfavorable for Li-decorated complexes for all the pressure and temperatures. For the Sc-doped complexes, adsorption of molecular hydrogen is favorable below 330 K and entire pressure range considered. All the H₂ adsorbed complexes are kinetically stable. For all the complexes, the interaction between the inorganometallic complexes and the H₂ molecules adsorbed is attractive whereas that between adsorbed H₂ molecules is repulsive. We have also performed molecular dynamics simulations to confirm the same number of H₂ molecule adsorption from the simulations and DFT calculations.     

Hydrogen adsorption on C3H3–TM (TM = Sc, Ti) organometallic compounds

This work reports hydrogen adsorption on C₃H₃–TM (TM = Sc, Ti) organometallic compounds using second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory method. Two types of organometallic compounds are considered viz. transition metal-capped and transition metal-inserted. Maximum five and four hydrogen molecules were adsorbed on Sc-capped ScC₃H₃ and Ti-capped TiC₃H₃ complexes, thereby giving gravimetric hydrogen uptake capacity of 10.71 and 8.5 wt%, respectively. The gravimetric H₂ uptake capacity 10.71 wt% of ScC₃H₃ complex is higher by 1.41 wt% than that of Sc-capped ScC₄H₄ organometallic complex reported earlier. The hydrogen uptake capacity 8.5 wt% of TiC₃H₃ is in between the uptake capacity of 6.61 and 9.1 wt% shown by Ti-capped TiC₅H₅ and TiC₄H₄ organometallic complexes, respectively. The Sc-capped and Sc-inserted ScC₃H₃ adsorb same number of H₂ molecules whereas Ti-inserted TiC₃H₃ complex adsorbs less number of H₂ molecules than that of Ti-capped TiC₃H₃ complex. Nature of interactions between different molecules in hydrogen-adsorbed complexes is studied. The binding energy per H₂ molecules differ by about 0.1 eV in transition metal-capped and transition metal-inserted structures.     

铁脂质体/水分配系数测定及影响因素考察

基于PAF-301分子模型通过Li 掺杂或B取代等模式设计了几种新型多孔芳香骨架(PAFs)材料, 采用量子力学和分子力学方法对新材料的储氢性能进行研究. 由量子力学计算得到了不同分子片段与H₂之间的结合能, 并结合DDEC方法计算了各分子片段的原子电荷分布. 利用巨正则蒙特卡洛(GCMC)模拟方法计算了77和298 K下H₂在不同PAFs材料中的吸附平衡性质. 结果表明, H₂直接与苯环的结合能较低, 但掺杂Li 原子能够提高H₂与六元环的结合能, 同时Li 原子体现出较高的正电性质, B原子取代苯环中的两个C原子后, 使得原有C原子电负性增强; 77 K下PAF-301Li 具有最高的储氢性能, 而PAF-C₄B₂H₄-Li₂-Si 和PAF-C₄B₂H₄-Li₂-Ge体现出较好的常温储氢性能, 各种材料的常温储氢性能远低于其低温储氢性能. 通过77 K下H₂在PAFs材料中的等位能面分布和吸附平衡质心密度分布对H₂在PAFs 材料中的优先吸附位置进行分析, 发现在PAF-301 和PAF-301Li 骨架中, 由于中心能量较低的等位能区域范围较宽, H₂在其中存在四个明显的吸附高密度分布区域, 而其它三种PAFs晶胞中心能量较低的等位能区域范围较窄, 使得H₂在其中只存在两个明显的吸附高密度分布区域.     

Fluorinated Porous Poly(spirobifluorene) Via Direct C‒H Arylation: Characterization,Porosity, and Gas Uptake

Considering intrinsic properties of conjugated polyfluorenes and special functions of porous polymers, synthesis of fluorinated porous poly(spirobifluorene) via direct C?H arylation polycondensation is explored. Owing to the contorted structure and cross-linking nature, the obtained polymer FPSBF shows permanent porosities with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area up to 700 m² g^?1 and exhibits a narrow pore size distribution with the dominant pore size at about 0.63 nm, which is more suitable for adsorption of small gas molecules. Based on the measured gas physisorption isotherms with pressure up to 1.13 bar, the obtained polymer shows good uptaking capacities for hydrogen (1.30 wt% at 1.0 bar and 77 K) and methane (4.80 wt% 1.0 bar and 273 K). Moreover, FPSBF has significant adsorption selectivity for CH₄ against N₂ and the estimated ideal adsorption selectivity ratio is up to 30/1 at 1.0 bar and 273 K, which makes the material possess potential application in gas separation.     

First principle study of hydrogen storage on the graphene-like aluminum nitride nanosheet

Employing density functional calculations including an empirical dispersion term, we investigated the hydrogenation of an aluminum nitride nanosheet (h-AlN) with atomic and molecular hydrogen. It was found that atomic H prefers to be adsorbed on an N atom rather than Al, releasing energy of 21.1 kcal/mol. The HOMO/LUMO energy gap of the sheet is dramatically reduced from 107.9 to 44.5 kcal/mol, upon the adsorption of one hydrogen atom. The adsorption of atomic H on the h-AlN presents properties which are promising for nanoelectronic applications. The molecular H₂ was found to be adsorbed collinearly on an N atom and dissociated to two H atoms on Al–N bond. Calculated barrier and adsorption energies for this dissociation process are about +18.9 and ?1.9 kcal/mol. We predict that each nitrogen atom in an AlN sheet can adsorb two hydrogen molecules on opposite sides of the sheet, and thus the gravimetric density for hydrogen storage on AlN sheet is evaluated to be about 8.9 wt%.     

Multiscale Computational Study on the Adsorption and Separation of CO2/CH4 and CO2/H2 on Li+‐Doped Mixed‐Ligand Metal–Organic Framework Zn2(NDC)2(diPyNI)

The quantum mechanics (QM) method and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations are used to study the effect of lithium cation doping on the adsorption and separation of CO₂, CH₄, and H₂ on a twofold interwoven metal–organic framework (MOF), Zn₂(NDC)₂(diPyNI) (NDC=2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylate; diPyNI=N,N′‐di‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxydiimide). Second‐order Moller–Plesset (MP2) calculations on the (Li⁺–diPyNI) cluster model show that the energetically most favorable lithium binding site is above the pyridine ring side at a distance of 1.817 Å from the oxygen atom. The results reveal that the adsorption capacity of Zn₂(NDC)₂(diPyNI) for carbon dioxide is higher than those of hydrogen and methane at room temperature. Furthermore, GCMC simulations on the structures obtained from QM calculations predict that the Li⁺‐doped MOF has higher adsorption capacities than the nondoped MOF, especially at low pressures. In addition, the probability density distribution plots reveal that CO₂, CH₄, and H₂ molecules accumulate close to the Li cation site. The selectivity results indicate that CO₂/H₂ selectivity values in Zn₂(NDC)₂(diPyNI) are higher than those of CO₂/CH₄. The selectivity of CO₂ over CH₄ on Li⁺‐doped Zn₂(NDC)₂(diPyNI) is improved relative to the nondoped MOF.     

A Robust 3D Cage‐like Ultramicroporous Network Structure with High Gas‐Uptake Capacity

A three‐dimensional (3D) cage‐like organic network (3D‐CON) structure synthesized by the straightforward condensation of building blocks designed with gas adsorption properties is presented. The 3D‐CON can be prepared using an easy but powerful route, which is essential for commercial scale‐up. The resulting fused aromatic 3D‐CON exhibited a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of up to 2247 m² g^?1. More importantly, the 3D‐CON displayed outstanding low pressure hydrogen (H₂, 2.64 wt %, 1.0 bar and 77 K), methane (CH₄, 2.4 wt %, 1.0 bar and 273 K), and carbon dioxide (CO₂, 26.7 wt %, 1.0 bar and 273 K) uptake with a high isosteric heat of adsorption (H₂, 8.10 kJ mol^?1; CH₄, 18.72 kJ mol^?1; CO₂, 31.87 kJ mol^?1). These values are among the best reported for organic networks with high thermal stability (ca. 600 °C).     

Experimental and theoretical study of D2/H2 quantum sieving in a carbon molecular sieve

The present work aims at providing additional insight into the crucial effect of pore size and pressure on the adsorption of H₂ and D₂ in porous carbons by means of Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations in model slit micropores at 77 K. In order to address the quantum behavior of the molecules the Feynman–Hibbs corrected LJ interaction potential is used for fluid–solid and fluid–fluid interactions. Based on the GCMC isotherms for the two isotopes, D₂ selectivity over H₂ is deduced for pores with different sizes as a function of pressure. Furthermore, GCMC results are coupled with experimental high pressure H₂ and D₂ adsorption data at 77 K for a commercial carbon molecular sieve (Takeda 3A).     

The effect of electric field on hydrogen storage for B/C/N sheets

Using first-principles calculations, we investigate the adsorption behaviors of H₂ in B/C/N sheets (including BCN, BC₂N, and BC₃N) and discuss the effect of external electric fields on H₂ adsorbed for BCN and BC₂N sheets. For a single H₂ adsorbed on BCN and BC₂N sheets, the adsorption energy increases dramatically with the electric field intensity increasing, and the maximum adsorption energy can reach 0.55 eV in the electric field of F = 0.050 a.u. and one layer H₂ can adsorb on BCN and BC₂N sheets, corresponding to the maximum hydrogen storage capacity of 5.1 wt%. The average adsorption energy calculated larger than that of in the field-free case.     

In situ formation of TiB2 and TiH2 catalyzed Li/Mg based dual-cation borohydride with a low onset dehydrogenation temperature below 100 °C

Chemical complex borohydride is a promising hydrogen storage material due to its large gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen capacities. However, the high dehydrogenation temperature and sluggish kinetics still place strong restrictions on its practical application in the hydrogen storage field. In this work, a synergetic approach of partial cation substitution and catalysis is developed to enhance the hydrogen storage properties of LiBH₄. The Li/Mg based dual-cation borohydride (LiMg₂(BH₄)₅, LMBH) was successfully synthesized by wet chemical ball milling of LiBH₄ and MgCl₂. The optimal (LMBH (4.5:1) sample, LiBH₄ and MgCl₂ in molar ratios of 4.5:1, possesses a maximum hydrogen desorption capacity (11.27 wt%) and the outstanding initial decomposition temperature (～250 °C). Importantly, the LMBH (4.5:1) doped with TiF₃ shows a remarkable onset dehydrogenation temperature as low as 97.2 °C, which is about 190 °C lower than that of pristine LiBH₄. The LMBH (4.5:1) doped with TiF₃ system releases 7.98 wt% H₂ within 170 min below 350 °C. And the dehydrogenation product of doped composite can reversibly absorb ～4.72 wt% H₂ at a relatively moderate temperature of 280 °C, which is substantially lower than the reversible hydrogen absorption temperature of previous modified borohydride systems. Based on the structural characteristic analyses, the TiF₃ reacts with LMBH (4.5:1) to in-situ form actual catalytic components of TiB₂ and TiH₂ as the actual catalysts for LMBH (4.5:1), resulting in the improved hydrogen re/dehydrogenation properties. The synergetic modification of Li/Mg dual-cation substitution and TiB₂/TiH₂ catalysis may lead to the development of light-metal borohydrides with outstanding hydrogen storage properties.     

Interaction of elemental mercury with selenium surfaces: model experiments for investigations of superheavy elements copernicium and flerovium

The adsorption behavior of ¹⁹⁷Hg and ^183–185Hg on red amorphous selenium (red a-Se) and trigonal selenium (t-Se) was investigated experimentally by off-line and on-line gas chromatographic methods, in preparation of a sensitive chemical separation and characterization of the transactinides copernicium (Cn, Z = 112) and flerovium (Fl, Z = 114). Monte-Carlo simulations of a diffusion controlled deposition were in good agreement with the experimental results, assuming as interaction limits ?ΔH _ads ^red a-Se (Hg) > 85 kJ/mol, and ?ΔH _ads ^t-Se (Hg) < 60 kJ/mol. Both Se allotropes can be used as stationary surfaces in comparative gas-chromatographic chemical investigations of Cn and Fl.     

Intensified electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes supported with Ni nanoparticles

The electrochemical hydrogen storage properties of Ni-supported multi-walled carbon nanotube (Ni/MWCNT) electrodes were investigated using charge/discharge (C&D) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Nickel NPs were deposited on the MWCNT surface, which was first chemically oxidized by H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ (3:1, v/v). Hydrogen storage was carried out by using the Ni/MWCNT electrode as the working electrode in the electrochemical cell. A set of various current densities were applied to the cell to produce (C&D) cycles, and it became optimum corresponding to 1.5 mA current. According to the electrochemical test results, the highest electrochemical discharge capacity of 1625 mAh g^?1 was obtained for the electrode with ratio of 4:1 (MWCNTs to Ni) in the initial cycle, which corresponded to 6.07 wt% H₂. The storage capacity was increased and reached to 4909 mAh g^?1 (18.34 wt% H₂) after 20 cycles, and the electrode maintained the specific capacity as cycling continued. Thus, the Ni/MWCNT electrode displays an excellent cycle stability and a high capacity reversibility. CV measurements also showed that the electrochemical adsorption and desorption amount of hydrogen was increased by Ni loading onto the CNTs and indicated that the electrochemical hydrogen adsorption of the electrode has an activated period.     

Porosity of closed carbon nanotubes compressed using hydraulic pressure

Experimental data of nitrogen adsorption (T = 77.3 K) from gaseous phase measured on commercial closed carbon nanotubes are presented. Additionally, we show the results of N₂ adsorption on compressed (using hydraulic press) CNTs. In order to explain the experimental observations the results of GCMC simulations of N₂ adsorption on isolated or bundled multi-walled closed nanotubes (four models of bundles) are discussed. We show that the changes of the experimental adsorption isotherms are related to the compression of the investigated adsorbents. They are qualitatively similar to the theoretical observations. Taking into account all results it is concluded that in the “architecture” of nanotubes very important role has been played by isolated nanotubes.     

High‐Pressure Raman and Calorimetry Studies of Vanadium(III) Alkyl Hydrides for Kubas‐Type Hydrogen Storage

Reversible hydrogen storage under ambient conditions has been identified as a major bottleneck in enabling a future hydrogen economy. Herein, we report an amorphous vanadium(III) alkyl hydride gel that binds hydrogen through the Kubas interaction. The material possesses a gravimetric adsorption capacity of 5.42 wt % H₂ at 120 bar and 298 K reversibly at saturation with no loss of capacity after ten cycles. This corresponds to a volumetric capacity of 75.4 kgH₂ m^?3. Raman experiments at 100 bar confirm that Kubas binding is involved in the adsorption mechanism. The material possesses an enthalpy of H₂ adsorption of +0.52 kJ mol^?1 H₂, as measured directly by calorimetry, and this is practical for use in a vehicles without a complex heat management system.     

Magneli phase Ti n O2n − 1 as corrosion-resistant PEM fuel cell catalyst support

Magneli phase titanium suboxide, Ti _n O_{2n ? 1}, with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area up to 25 m² g^?1 was prepared using the heat treatment of titanium oxide (rutile) mixed with polyvinyl alcohol in ratios from 1:3 to 3:1. XRD patterns showed Ti₄O₇ as the major phase formed during the heat treatment process. The Ti _n O_{2n ? 1} showed excellent electrochemical stability in the potential range of ?0.25 to 2.75 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode. The Ti _n O_{2n ? 1} was employed as a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell catalyst support to prepare 20 wt% platinum (Pt)/Ti _n O_{2n ? 1} catalyst. A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly was fabricated using the 20 wt% Pt/Ti _n O_{2n ? 1} catalyst, and its performance was evaluated using H₂/O₂ at 80 °C. A current density of 0.125 A?cm^?2 at 0.6 V was obtained at 80 °C.