Synthesis of porous carbons (zeolite templated carbons, metal organic framework derived carbons and carbon nanotubes) for hydrogen storage

Rigaku Ultima IV diffractometer using Ni-filtered Cu-K& radiation (0.154 nm) in the range (2-theta = 3-60 deg) at a scanning rat of 0.1 deg per sec was used to identify the phase of the prepared samples. Zeolite 13X used high crystalinity of the sample. The prepared zeolite templated carbons displayed comparable degree of templation with a peak at 2-theta = 6.3 deg and presences of graphitic material as shown by the peak at 2-theta = 23 and 43 deg). 

TGA instrument (TA instruments, Q500 model ) using alumina crucibles was used to determine the thermal stability of the prepared samples. The carbons were thermal stable up to 500 deg celcius. SEM and TEM (JEOL-JSM 7500F and JOEL-Jem 2100 models) were used to determine the morphology of the prepared samples. Hydrogen adsorption and BET surface area were determined using ASAP 2020 instrument. Comperable adsorption of hydrogen was obtained at the ranges of 0.54-0.58 wt% for MDCs and the best adsorption for ZTCs was 2.77 wt%. The novel use of methane as a feedstock for synthesis of ZTCs and CNTs was proven in this study.