Hydrogen storage in heat welded random CNT network structures

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate hydrogen storage capability of heat welded random carbon nanotube (CNT) network structures. To achieve this objective, different three-dimensional random CNT network structures are generated by using a stochastic algorithm and molecular dynamic simulations. The interaction of CNT networks with hydrogen molecules is then examined via grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations. Hydrogen adsorption capacity of CNT networks having an arbitrarily natured morphology, adjustable porous structure and large surface ratio is investigated. The results show that if cross link density of random CNT networks decreases, hydrogen storage capability of CNT networks increases in terms of the gravimetric capacity. It is observed that random CNT networks could uptake 8.85 wt.% hydrogen at 77 K and this result is very comparable with the results reported in literature where generally ideal ordered nanostructures having no topological irregularities are considered. © 2014 Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.