Orange peel biowaste used as a nanoscopic hydrogen reservoir

Abstract

This work addresses the bio-waste vaporization approach for the development of a novel carbonaceous nanomaterial to be used in the adsorption of hydrogen as an alternative in the use of green hydrogen. In this research, activated carbons were synthesized from orange peel using different synthesis conditions. With the activated carbons obtained with the best structure and texture, the adsorption of hydrogen and the effects on their meso / microporosity were studied. The activation of the carbon was carried out by means of a chemical process with phosphoric acid as activating agent, varying the acid concentration, the substrate / activating agent ratio, and the contact time between them. The best support was obtained using a carbonization time of 1 h, a carbonization temperature of 470oC, a phosphoric acid concentration of 50% by weight and a BET area of 1402 m2 / g. Said material significantly improved H2 storage behaviour compared to CMK-3 type nanostructured carbon (3.1% by weight at -196,15 oC and 10 bar). The synthesized material shows promise in absorbing hydrogen by weak binding forces (physisorption).