PAN-based Pd-doped activated carbon fibers for hydrogen storage: preparation, a new method for chemical activation and characterization of fibers

Abstract

The preparation of ACFs from PAN fibers under various conditions and the method to load Pd on ACFs were described. Chemical activation of the fibers increased the surface areas of the fibers from about 64 m2/g to 381 m2/g. SEM micrographs of Pd-loaded indicated the diameters of the fibers were in the range of 1.0-10.0 mm. Diameters of metallic Pd particles on the fibers changed between 80 nm and 100 nm. 4.5% (by wt) metallic palladium was deposited on the ACFs. This high percentage of palladium deposited on ACFs is useful for hydrogen storage, since Pd-H system is established under a wide range of pressure and temperature.