Influence of the method of synthesis on hydrogen adsorption properties of mesoporous binary B sub(2O) sub(3)/Al sub(2O) sub(3) gel systems

Three series of binary oxide systems B sub(2O) sub(3)/Al sub(2O) sub(3) were prepared and the effect of alumina on dispersion of boron (B sub(2O) sub(3)) component was investigated. The aim of the study was to achieve a maximum dispersion of B sub(2O) sub(3) in the Al sub(2O) sub(3) a gel matrix that would lead to increased sorption capacity on boron oxide. Many attempts were made to establish the preparation conditions that would lead to a maximum dispersion of B sub(2O) sub(3) in the Al sub(2O) sub(3) gel matrix needed to increase the hydrogen sorption capacity on boron oxide. The systems were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM and low temperature nitrogen adsorption. Hydrogen adsorption was tested in the volumetric system. Results of the study showed that the amount of hydrogen adsorbed on B sub(2O) sub(3) depended not only on the surface area of the system but also on the separation of B sub(2O) sub(3) domains in Al sub(2O) sub(3) gel network. Irrespective of the method of synthesis of the binary oxide system, the dispersion of B sub(2O) sub(3) phase reflected in the amount of hydrogen adsorbed was the highest for the systems of the lowest B/Al molar ratios studied, i.e. for B/Al = 0.25.