Influence of vanadium nanoclusters in hydrogen uptake using hybrid nanostructured materials

Abstract

In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of vanadium oxide nanoclusters (V2O5) supported in silica nano- structured material (SBA-15) and nanostructured carbon (CMK-3). This material is promising in hydrogen adsorption and storage application for energy harvesting. The materials with vanadium oxide nanoclusters (VxOy-SBA-15 and VxOy-CMK-3) were successfully synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, textural properties, UV–Vis-DRS, X-ray photoelec- tron spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction and transmission electron microscopy analyses. VxOy-SBA-15 and VxOy-CMK-3 improved significantly the H2 storage behavior (1.33 wt% and 3.43 wt% at 77 K and 10 bar) compared with their respective supports SBA-15 and CMK-3. The materials synthesized are promising in hydrogen uptake by weak link forces (physisorption). A mechanism of hydrogen adsorption was proposed and V5+ cation roll in hydrogen uptake was discussed