Hydrogen storage with carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Hydrogen is a promising universal energy source that can replace fossil fuels in the energy sector due to its environmentally friendly nature and diverse energy conversion capabilities. Hydrogen production technologies currently have an unlimited supply of raw materials and can be produced on an industrial scale. However, for large-scale development of hydrogen energy, a number of scientific and technological challenges must be addressed. Developing the most cost-effective and efficient methods of storing hydrogen is one of the main technological challenges in hydrogen energy. In this regard, this review discusses in detail the research being conducted to address hydrogen storage issues using hydrides, nanoporous carbon, porous nanomaterials, and composites based on them, and also analyzes the associated challenges and future prospects associated with the search for methods for its production. Hydrogen is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly energy source. The main obstacle to stationary and mobile hydrogen use is the lack of effective storage methods. The possibility of storing hydrogen adsorbed in carbon nanotubes under various conditions has been explored. Molecular dynamics simulations of hydrogen physical adsorption processes in carbon nanotube arrays were conducted. The interactions were described by the Lennard-Jones potential, and quantum effects were ignored. The dependences of the relative mass content and average density of hydrogen in the system on pressure and temperature were obtained. At low temperatures, the formation of a second adsorption layer was detected, leading to an increased content of stored hydrogen. The spacing between the tubes in the array was varied to find the optimal geometry for adsorption. The relative mass content and average density of hydrogen in the system were obtained as functions of the spacing between the tubes in the bundle.