Electrochemical Storage of Atomic Hydrogen on Single Layer Graphene

If hydrogen can be stored and carried safely at a high density, hydrogen-fuel cells offer effective solutions for vehicles. The stable chemisorption of atomic hydrogen on single layer graphene (SLG) seems a perfect solution in this regard, with a theoretical maximum storage capacity of 7.7 wt %. However, generating hydrogenated graphene from H-2 requires extreme temperatures and pressures. Alternatively, hydrogen adatoms can easily be produced under mild conditions by the electroreduction of protons in solid/ liquid systems. Graphene is electrochemically inert for this reaction, but H-chemisorption on SLG can be carried out under mild conditions via a novel Pt-electrocatalyzed spillover-surface diffusionchemisorption mechanism, as we demonstrate using dynamic electrochemistry and isotopic Raman spectroscopy. The apparent surface diffusion coefficient (similar to 10(-5) cm(2) s(-1)), capacity (similar to 6.6 wt %, similar to 85.7% surface coverage), and stability of hydrogen adatoms on SLG at room temperature and atmospheric pressure are significant, and they are perfectly suited for applications involving stored hydrogen atoms on graphene.

Automated summary

Studies have shown that the adsorption of atomic hydrogen on single layer graphene can effectively store hydrogen and is suitable for solutions involving hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles. Utilizing a Pt-electrocatalyzed spillover-surface diffusion-chemisorption mechanism, hydrogenation of graphene can be carried out under mild conditions, demonstrating high storage capacity and stability.