Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4 nanoparticle catalyst embedded in Multi-walled carbon nanotubes as active material for electrochemical hydrogen storage inquiries

Abstract

Hydrogen storage and safe transport are the most important issues for hydrogen energy applications. Hydrogen has the necessary potential to provide clean fuel for heating and transportation because its only product of this combustion is pure water. Hydrogen is identified as one of the most renewable energy sources by supplying an efficient storage method. The electrochemical method with high energy conversion efficiency, through absorbtion/desorbtion mechanisms, is considered an appropriate strategy to achieve hydrogen storage. Hence, we propose a hydrogen energy storage system based on efficient electrode materials and electrochemical method. Due to obtaining high efficiency hydrogen storage, the Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4 nanoparticle catalyst embedded in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is synthesized via a facile polyol method, as active material. The sample structure was characterized by different techniques to determine its crystal structure, surface morphology, elements and porosity. Further, the electrochemical hydrogen storage abilities and the specific capacitance values of the as-prepared nanocomposite were assessed in alkaline media by chronopotentiometry analysis. The XRD studies exhibit that the average crystallite size of the Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4 nanoparticle catalyst is estimated to be around 7.5 nm. Also, the BET measurement shows a specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of 137.89 m2g-1, 0.3379 cm3g-1 and 9.8 nm for Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4/MWCNTs nanocomposite, respectively. The electrochemical consequences indicate that the incorporation of Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4 nanoparticle catalyst with MWCNTs showed excellent cycle stability and a high degree of electrochemical reversibility as an optimistic active candidate for use in electrochemical hydrogen storage. The maximum discharge capacity of Pt/ SnO2/Sb2O4 /MWCNTs nanocomposite was obtained to be 3480 mAhg-1 after 12 cycles. The higher and excellent discharge capacity of nanocomposite can partially be ascribed to its higher porosity, large specific surface area and the small size of Pt/SnO2/Sb2O4 nanoparticle catalyst.