Compact Carbon Material for High-Density Hydrogen Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon materials with high specific surface areas are bulky and inefficient for hydrogen storage, as they require a large volume to achieve a desired hydrogen storage amount.
Innovation Solution
A carbon material with a specific surface area of 200 m2/g or less and a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.5×10−5 g/m2 or more at 10 MPa, produced by carbonizing an organic polymer without transition metals, exhibiting a linear increase in hydrogen storage with pressure and significant hysteresis, is developed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carbon materials with large specific surface area are used to increase hydrogen storage amount, then hydrogen storage capacity increases, but the material becomes bulky and volume efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the key parameter from specific surface area to hydrogen storage capacity per unit surface area. By selecting carbon materials with specific surface area of 200 m²/g or less that exhibit hydrogen storage capacity of 1.5×10⁻⁵ g/m² or more at 10 MPa, the patent achieves high hydrogen storage density without requiring excessive surface area, thereby reducing material volume while maintaining hydrogen storage amount.
2Quantity of substance
If high-pressure gas cylinders are used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage density improves, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs composite carbon materials that combine multiple characteristics: specific surface area of 200 m²/g or less, total pore volume of 0.400 cm³/g or less, and nitrogen content of 0.030 or more (molar ratio N/C). This composite material approach achieves high hydrogen storage capacity without relying on heavy metal components, thereby improving hydrogen storage density while controlling system weight.
3Volume of stationary object
If carbon materials are designed for compactness to reduce volume, then volume efficiency improves, but hydrogen storage capacity may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention identifies and optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously rather than focusing on a single parameter. By setting specific ranges for specific surface area (≤200 m²/g), total pore volume (≤0.400 cm³/g), and nitrogen content (N/C ≥ 0.030), the patent achieves a balanced optimization where compact material volume does not sacrifice hydrogen storage capacity. The key is the hydrogen storage capacity per unit surface area metric that ensures sufficient storage in compact form.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The carbon material is compact and exhibits an excellent hydrogen storage capacity, allowing for efficient hydrogen storage and release, suitable for use in hydrogen fuel applications without the need for activation treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a carbon material that is compact and exhibits an excellent hydrogen storage capacity... a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.5×10−5 g/m2 or more at a hydrogen pressure of 10 MPa
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon material that is compact and exhibits an excellent hydrogen storage capacity. A carbon material has a specific surface area of 200 m2/g or less and exhibits a hydrogen storage capacity of 1.5×10−5 g/m2 or more at a hydrogen pressure of 10 MPa.