Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanocomposite as Efficient Hydrogen-Storage Medium for Fuel Cell Applications

Document Type : Regular Article

Author

Department of Physics, J P College of Arts and Science, Tenkasi-627852, Tamil Nadu (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu)

10.22036/pcr.2023.397652.2342

Abstract

In this present research, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles decorated RGO sheets for a solid-state hydrogen storage medium are synthesized and characterized. The nanocomposite of RGO/h-BN was prepared using the ultrasonic-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation approach and the modified Hummer's method for graphene oxide (GO) synthesis. Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, CHNS elemental analysis, and TGA, the produced RGO and RGO/h-BN nanocomposite were evaluated. XRD and micro-Raman validate the RGO and the RGO decorated with h-BN nanoparticles. SEM analysis authorizes the h-BN nanoparticles to be decorated on the surface of the RGO sheet. Using a hydrogenation system akin to Sievert's, the hydrogen adsorption behavior of RGO and RGO/h-BN nanocomposite was investigated. With a maximal hydrogen absorption of 2.1 wt% at 100°C, RGO/h-BN nanocomposite performs better than bare RGO. In the temperature ranges of 109 to 140° and 115 to 149°, the RGO and RGO/h-BN nanocomposites released 100% stored hydrogen. The corresponding binding energy of RGO and RGO/h-BN nanocomposites were 0.31 and 0.32 eV, which is adequate for fuel cell applications. The RGO/h-BN nanocomposite is therefore anticipated to have a promising future in hydrogen storage situations of fuel cell applications.

Graphical Abstract

Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanocomposite as Efficient Hydrogen-Storage Medium for Fuel Cell Applications

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