Hydrogen adsorption in bundles of well-aligned carbon nano tubes at room temperature

Bundles of well-aligned and randomly-ordered carbon nanotubes were produced by catalytic pyrolysis of a carbon source with quartz glass as a substrate . Their morphologies and pore structures were analyzed by N-2 adsorption at 77 K and by SEM and TEM. According to N2 adsorption, the bundles of aligne d carbon nanotubes have a narrow pore distribution mainly in micro- and mes o-pores, which is favorable for hydrogen uptake. In hydrogen adsorption mea surements at room temperature under moderate pressure (3-10 MPa), we found that the well-aligned carbon nanotube bundles have a hydrogen storage capac ity of over 3 wt.%. This suggests that multi-walled carbon nanotubes are a promising material for hydrogen storage. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Sci ence B.V.