Production and Characterization of Supported Transition Metal Nano-Particles on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized by Gamma Irradiation and Chemical Processes

Abstract

Hydrogen has been the source of intense research and diverse methodologies to store it are being investigated. Single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show promise as good options to achieve high storage. Although the current hydrogen storage capacity of unsupported CNTs does not fulfill the DoE programmatic targets for on-board hydrogen storage systems, we are working on further research to modify the nanostructures to affect its properties. the main objective of this work is to evaluate mechanisms of functionalization and purification by chemical and irradiation techniques to create functional groups in the surface and add new gateways for atomic hydrogen intake into the nanotubes to enhance the hydrogen storage capacity. Functional groups serve as a medium to attach metal nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes. SEM, STEM and XPS were used for morphological chemical and structural characterization of the nanostructure. Nanoparticles were obtained in the range of 15 to 30nm with a better distribution for samples irradiated at 15kGy.

Meeting Name

140th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, TMS 2011 (2011: Feb. 27-Mar. 3, San Diego, CA)

Department(s)

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Keywords and Phrases

Carbon Nanotubes; CNT; Gamma Irradiation; Hydrogen; Nanomaterials

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Wiley, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

03 Mar 2011

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