A density functional theory study of hydrogen adsorption on Be-, Mg-, and Ca-exchanged LTL zeolite clusters

Hydrogen molecule adsorption on frameworks consisting of alkaline earth metal atoms (Be, Mg, or Ca) in LTL zeolite was investigated via density functional theory. A 24T zeolite cluster model was used in this study. HOMO and LUMO energy, chemical potential, chemical hardness, electronegativity, adsorption energy, and adsorption enthalpy values were calculated. The Mg-LTL and Ca-LTL clusters were found to have much lower chemical potentials and adsorption energies than those of the Be-LTL cluster. Additionally, the calculations indicated that the Mg-LTL and Ca-LTL clusters are softer (considering their lower chemical hardness values) and more chemically reactive than the Be-LTL cluster. The calculated hydrogen adsorption enthalpies were −14.7 and −9.4 kJ/mol for the Mg-LTL and Ca-LTL clusters, respectively, which are significantly larger than the enthalpy of liquefaction for the hydrogen molecule. These results imply that the Mg-LTL and Ca-LTL zeolite structures are promising cryoadsorbents for hydrogen storage. Graphical abstract Hydrogen adsorption was theoretically investigated on Be-, Ca- and Mg-LTL clusters. Ca- and Mg-LTL zeolites are potential cryoadsorbent materials for hydrogen storage.