Ni-dispersed fullerenes: Hydrogen storage and desorption properties

Our study shows that the H-2 storage media using Ni-dispersed fullerenes could be viable alternatives to reversible hydrogen storage. It is demonstrated that a single Ni coated on the fullerene surface can store up to three H-2 molecules. Consequently, at high Ni coverage, Ni-dispersed fullerenes are considered to be the novel hydrogen storage media capable of storing similar to 6.8 wt % H-2, thus exceeding the Department of Energy target (6.5 wt %) for automobile applications. Moreover, the H-2 desorption activation barrier of 11.8 kcal/mol H-2 is ideal for many practical hydrogen storage applications. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.