Graphene Based Hydrogen Storage Material

Category – Hydrogen Storage

Applications – Renewable Energy Storage

Industry – Energy Storage

Market – The global hydrogen storage market is projected to reach USD 6.3.billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.5% from 2023 to 2030.

Hydrogen energy is a promising clean energy source, but the challenge of efficient hydrogen storage hinders practical applications.
To be viable, hydrogen storage materials must meet criteria such as high gravimetric and volumetric densities, rapid reaction kinetics, low hydrogen sorption temperature, reversibility, and affordability.
Conventional carbon-based materials, like activated carbon, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, have limitations due to their low hydrogen storage capacity (<1 wt%) at ambient conditions.
Therefore, there is a need to develop modified carbon materials, such as transition metal decorated nitrogen doped graphene, to improve hydrogen storage capabilities for practical energy storage systems.

This invention relates to a method of manufacture of graphene-based hydrogen storage material, that is, transition metal decorated nitrogen doped graphene (TM/NG) hybrid material.
The method comprises steps of firstly, mixing 20% to 50% by weight of graphite oxide, transition metal precursor and 80% to 50% by weight of melamine in water medium, then drying at 50o C to 60o C in a vacuum oven, and then keeping the resulting nanocomposite under focused sunlight using a convex lens, to obtain transition metal decorated nitrogen doped graphene (TM/NG) hybrid material.

High Hydrogen Storage Performance: The developed material exhibits exceptional hydrogen adsorption and desorption capabilities at room temperature, with a maximum storage capacity of 4.3 wt% at 25ºC and 4 MPa pressure. This performance surpasses conventional materials and makes it highly suitable for hydrogen-based applications.
Practical Applicability: The ease of scaling up the production process ensures the feasibility of using this material in various applications, including hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and portable electronics.
Sustainability and Convenience: Hydrogen storage materials with efficient adsorption and desorption properties contribute to sustainable energy solutions and offer the convenience of using hydrogen for different power needs.

Prof. Ramaprabhu S

Department of Physics

TRL – 4

Experimentally validated in lab.

Technology Transfer