Hydrogen Uptake and Release in Carbon Nanotube Electrocatalysts

The recent technique of molecular beam-thermal desorption spectrometry was used here for monitoring hydrogen uptake and release from carbon nanotube networks, after electrochemical hydrogen uptake. This way, an accurate determination of the hydrogen mass absorbed in electrodes made from those assemblies can be achieved by significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio. The hydrogen desorption mass spectra account for the enhanced surface capability for hydrogen adsorption in the electrodes and enable a comparison with the performance of a palladium electrode in similar conditions. A comparative study involving different carbon nanotube electrodes, in similar hydrogen uptake/desorption conditions, clearly confirmed the expectations about their enhanced hydrogen storage capacity and points to the great potential of carbon nanotube assemblies in replacing the heavier metal alloys as electrocatalysts.

Automated summary

The molecular beam-thermal desorption spectrometry technique was used to monitor hydrogen uptake and release in carbon nanotube networks, improving signal-to-noise ratio for accurate determination of hydrogen mass in electrodes. The hydrogen desorption mass spectra indicated enhanced surface capability for hydrogen adsorption in electrodes and confirmed the enhanced hydrogen storage capacity of carbon nanotube assemblies, suggesting their potential as replacements for heavier metal alloys in electrocatalysis.