Storage of hydrogen in layered nanostructures
AssigneeCatalytic Materials, LLC
InventorsNelly M. Rodriguez, R. Terry K. Baker
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the storage of hydrogen in layered nanostructures possessing: at least some crystallinity, interstices from about 0.335 nm to 0.67 nm, and chemisorption properties with respect to hydrogen at those surfaces of the nanostructure which define the interstices. Preferred layered nanostructures are carbon nanostructures such as those selected from carbon nanotubes, carbon fibrils, carbon nanoshells, and carbon nanofibers. Hydrogen is chemisorbed into the interstices of the nanostructures.
Claims41
A composition comprised of:
- (a) a solid layered nanostructure comprised of:
- (i) crystalline regions;
- (ii) interstices within said crystalline regions which interstices are from about 0.335 nm to 0.67 nm, and (iii) surfaces of said nanostructure which define said interstices, which surfaces have chemisorption properties with respect to hydrogen;
- and
- (b) hydrogen stored within said interstices.
A composition comprised of:
- (a) a carbon nanofiber comprised of:
- (i) a crystallinity of at least about 50%;
- (ii) interstices within said crystalline regions which interstices are from about 0.335 nm to 0.67 nm, and (iii) surfaces of said nanofiber which define said interstices, which surfaces have chemisorption properties with respect to hydrogen;
- and
- (b) hydrogen stored within said interstices.
A hydrogen storage device comprising:
- (a) a vessel;
- (b) a hydrogen storage bed disposed in said vessel, wherein the hydrogen storage bed in comprised of a solid layered nanostructure comprised of:
- (i) crystalline regions;
- (ii) interstices within said crystalline regions which interstices are from about 0.335 nm to 0.67 nm, and (iii) surfaces of said nanostructure which define said interstices, which surfaces have chemisorption properties with respect to hydrogen.
A process for storing hydrogen, which process comprises:
- (i) providing a vessel containing carbon nanostructures, which nanostructures have a crystallinity of at least about 50%;
- interstices within said crystalline regions which interstices are from about 0.335 nm to 0.67 nm, and surfaces of said nanofiber which define said interstices, which surfaces have chemisorption properties with respect to hydrogen;
- and (ii) introducing hydrogen into said vessel at a pressure of at least about 300 Torr.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.