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A microstructural and neutron-diffraction study on the interactions between microwave-irradiated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and hydrogen

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Abstract

Microwave irradiation is a simple yet effective way of altering the properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). This work studies the interactions between microwave-irradiated MWNTs and hydrogen. Effects of MWNT diameter and irradiation duration on the hydrogen-storage capacity have been investigated. We find that microwave irradiation induces damage to the MWNTs that can enhance hydrogen-storage capacity, with excessive damage being detrimental. Smaller-diameter tubes suffer less damage than larger tubes do. MWNTs with a diameter of 20–40 nm irradiated for 10 min had the highest hydrogen uptake of the samples measured, of 0.87 wt% at room temperature and under a hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa. Neutron powder-diffraction data revealed structural changes that were consistent with the insertion of hydrogen in the interstitial cavities of the microwave-irradiated MWNTs, as well as an expansion between the graphene layers of samples that were microwave irradiated. Hence, this simple treatment could be a promising solution to improve the hydrogen-storage capacities of MWNTs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the CSIRO Flagship Collaborative Research Program–National Hydrogen Materials Alliance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Y. T. Lee, P. J. Tsai, K. L. Lim, Y. S. Tseng & S. L. I. Chan

  2. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia

    V. K. Peterson

  3. Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Menai, NSW, 2234, Australia

    B. Yang

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Fuel Cell Center, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li City, 32003, Taiwan

    K. S. Lin

  5. School of Material Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    M. Zhu

  6. Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    K. L. Lim

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  1. Y. T. Lee
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  2. P. J. Tsai
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  4. B. Yang
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  5. K. S. Lin
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  6. M. Zhu
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  7. K. L. Lim
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  8. Y. S. Tseng
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  9. S. L. I. Chan
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Correspondence to S. L. I. Chan.

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Lee, Y.T., Tsai, P.J., Peterson, V.K. et al. A microstructural and neutron-diffraction study on the interactions between microwave-irradiated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and hydrogen. J Mater Sci 51, 1308–1315 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9448-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9448-4

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