Preparation of Jute Waste-Based Activated Carbon Supported Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Storage in MgH2

Abstract

Abstract The generation of hydrogen fuel cars is a burning issue worldwide due to the rapid growth of energy demand and depletion of fossil energy resources, together with the need for a successful strategy to reduce the successive increase of greenhouse gas emissions requires sustainable, renewable, and clean energy resources. Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier in comprehensive zero-emission vehicles. Metal hydrides are a safe alternative for hydrogen storage due to their long-term stability and low hydrogen equilibrium pressures. Magnesium hydride (MgH2), for instance, has been considered as one of the most interesting materials for hydrogen storage due to its high hydrogen storage capacity of 7.6 wt% and 102 gl-1 and non-toxic properties. However, it cannot be used on-board due to two main reasons are hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reaction for pure MgH2 is very slow and occurs only at high temperatures (> 600 K) under an equilibrium pressure of hydrogen much higher than 1 bar (> 3 MPa). However, the operation condition can be improved by using metal oxide as an additive that creates channels through the MgH2 surface. In our current research, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-nano) were employed as catalysts supported by high surface area activated carbon (AC) with MgH2 which has opened a new window for hydrogen adsorption and desorption at standard temperature and pressure. Currently, AC was successfully prepared from jute waste which has been applied in the present issue to promote reversible H2 uptake and release behavior of MgH2.