Production, characterization, and hydrogen storage properties of activated carbon from horse chestnut shell

With the increasing energy demand and the increase in carbon emissions from using fossil fuels, the demand for using renewable energy is increasing daily. Therefore, research on hydrogen storage, the biggest problem in using hydrogen energy, is significant. In this concept, a surface area of 2270 m2/g obtained with activated carbons obtained from the pyrolysis of horse chestnut shell with ZnCl2 at 600 °C, and the micropore volume of the same sample found to be 0.93 cc/g. Hydrogen storage at cryogenic temperature found to be 4.46% by weight. At room temperature, increased H2 storage was observed with increasing pressure and found to be 0.44% at 30 bar. According to thermogravimetric results, the residue amounts of activated carbons at 900 °C which synthesized at different agent ratios and carbonization temperatures varied between 76% and 83.3% respectively. Elemental analysis showed that the C% increase was linear with the increased surface area of the activated carbons obtained. According to infrared spectrum, the cellulosic structure of the samples pyrolyzed at 800 °C was wholly destroyed according to the results obtained; the micropore volume and surface area of the adsorbent are significant in hydrogen storage. Moreover, activated carbons are more environmentally friendly and essential in hydrogen storage than other adsorbents. [Display omitted] •Activated carbon H2 storage were compared with cryogenic and room temperature.•Existing H2 storage performance directly connect to the inter-particle pore.•BET surface area of produced activated carbon is reported of 1789 and 2270 m2/g.•Activated carbon can reach H2 storage capacity of 4.46%.