Significant enhancement of the electrochemical hydrogen uptake of reduced graphene oxide via boron-doping and decoration with Pd nanoparticles. (30th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boateng, Emmanuel; Dondapati, Jesse Smiles; Thiruppathi, Antony Raj; Chen, Aicheng
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 53(2020)
• Page Start: 28951
• Page End: 28963
• Publication Date: 2020-10-30
• Subjects: Palladium nanoparticles -- Reduced graphene oxide -- Boron doping -- Hydrogen spillover -- Hydrogen storage; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.07.128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Development of advanced hydrogen storage materials with high capacity and stability is vital to achieve an envisaged hydrogen economy. Here, we report a uniformly dispersed Pd nanoparticles on the boron-doped reduced graphene oxide (Pd/B-rGO) as a novel nanocomposite for efficient hydrogen storage. The effects of the incorporation of Pd NPs and the substitution of boron atoms into the graphene-based nanomaterial matrix on the electrochemical hydrogen up-taking and releasing were comparatively studied using electrochemical techniques, and duly supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The discharge capacities of the Pd-rGO and Pd/B-rGO nanocomposites were determined to be over 45 and 128 times higher than that of the Pd NPs, respectively, showing that the B doping and the rGO support played significant roles in the enhancement of the hydrogen storage capability. Moreover, the galvanostatic charging and discharging cycling tests demonstrated a high stability and efficient kinetics of the Pd/B-rGO nanocomposite in the H2 SO4 electrolyte for hydrogen up-taking and release. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The Boron doping effectively suppressed the aggregation of Pd NPs on the rGO surface. The hydrogen storage capacity of Pd/B-rGO is 128 times higher than that of Pd NPs. Hydrogen spillover is evidenced with the Pd-rGO and Pd/B-rGO nanocomposites. DFT calculations are employed to validate electrochemical hydrogen sorption studies. Pd/B-rGO demonstrates a promising candidate toward hydrogen storage applications.