Synthesis of Graphene Oxide Framework (GOF) Materials for Application in Hydrogen Gas Storage

Abstract

Energy demand is increasing with the passage of time which constrains the supply of existing conventional energy resources. Hydrogen is one of the alternative sources of energy which can potentially fulfill the need and may help to “kick the habit of carbon”. But using hydrogen fuel requires an important challenge of its storage. Until now many materials have been sought out to meet the criteria of efficient storage. Currently GO based materials are being studied extensively due to their high surface area. In this research we explored the para-phenylenediamine (PPDA) as linker molecule for the synthesis of graphene oxide framework (GOF) materials. Synthesis of GOF materials by convenient and simple approach of reflux reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and para-phenylenediamine (PPDA) with different concentrations of both GO and PPDA like (0.5:1, 1:1 and 1.5:1) and named them as GOF-1, GOF-2 and GOF-3. Verification of GOF structures by FTIR, grow through the secondary amine formation via interaction between para-phenylenediamine (PPDA) linker molecule and carboxyl functional groups on the edges of GO. Enhancement of interlayer spacing is characterized by X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Raman spectroscopy confirms the formation of GOF materials. The thermal stability and surface area of GOF also enhanced as compared to precursor GO verified by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and micrometric BET surface area analyzer respectively. Among GOF derivatives, the GOF-2 has shown better results as compared to other GOF-1 and GOF-3. GOF-2 has high d-spacing 1.425 nm as compared to other GOF-1 and GOF-3, which have 1.275 and 1.291 nm respectively.GOF-2 also has high surface area 378 m2/g as compared to other GOF-1 and GOF-3, which have 178 and 118 m2/g, respectively. From these obtained results GOF-2 material having 0.05 weight % hydrogen storage at 110 bars at room temperature through Rubotherm gravimetric system instrument. We hope that our research will solve the storage problem of hydrogen gas by developing efficient GOF materials and will act as a milestone for further research on these materials.