Ti-coated BC2N nanotubes as hydrogen storage materials

Abstract

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate Ti adsorption on BC2N nanotubes and the hydrogen adsorption capacity of Ti-coated structures. Different adsorption sites have been examined for the Ti adatom, and it is found that the most stable structure has a configuration with alternating columns of carbon and boron–nitrogen hexagons. The DFT calculations indicate that an adsorbed Ti atom on a carbon hexagon can bind four hydrogen molecules in molecular form, while Ti atoms on boron–nitride hexagons can adsorb three hydrogen molecules and two hydrogen atoms. Based on the calculations, the gravimetric efficiency corresponding to decoration of 67% of six carbon rings with Ti adatoms is estimated to be 8 wt %. Computation of the charge transfer reveals that the Ti atom on BC2N is in a cationic state. In addition, Ti adsorption has a significant influence on the electronic structure of the nanotubes and allows for the conversion of nanotubes from semiconductors in the pristine state to conductors upon doping. The interactions between the nanotubes, the Ti atom and hydrogen molecules have also been analyzed using Dewar coordination and Kubas interactions.