Enhancement of hydrogen storage capacities of Co and Pt functionalized h-BN nanosheet: Theoretical study

Density functional theory calculations were performed to examine the geometries, electronic structures and thermodynamic properties of high hydrogen storage performances media of Co and Pt functionalized two different sites of carbon doped h-BN nanosheets named CB-doped and CN-doped h-BN. Fundamental aspects such as interaction energy, frontier orbitals, natural bond orbital, charge transfer, molecular electrostatic potential and the partial density of states are demonstrated to analyze the adsorption properties of H-2 molecules. The CoCB-BN, Co-CN-BN, Pt-CB-BN, and Pt-CN-BN systems yielded the gravimetric densities 12.958, 11.833, 4.937 and 4.944%, respectively. Our results revealed that H-2 molecules are introduced sequentially on the Co and Pt that decorated upper and lower of CB-doped h-BN and the H-2 uptake capacity are found to be 24.909 and 10.788% respectively, well above the gravimetric DOE target is achievable. In addition, two binding mechanisms contribute to the adsorption of hydrogen molecules have been discussed: (i) polarization of the H2 under the electric field produced by the decorated Co and Pt (ii) hybridization with sigma orbitals of H-2. The hydrogen desorption enthalpy and temperatures suggest that the Co and Pt at CB-doped and CN-doped BN are easy to desorb hydrogen molecules. These results lead to open a prospect of a promising and excellent nanostructural system to enhance the hydrogen storage performances at ambient temperature with application to fuel cells. Finally, unless the attack of oxygen, water and carbon monoxide to the surface is restricted, its strong binding to the design frameworks will block any practical application site for hydrogen storage.

Automated summary

Density functional theory calculations were used to study the hydrogen storage performance of Co and Pt functionalized carbon-doped h-BN nanosheets, showing high adsorption capacities and potential for fuel cell applications. The interaction energy, frontier orbitals, charge transfer, and hydrogen desorption properties of Co and Pt on CB-doped h-BN were highlighted, with promising results for enhancing hydrogen storage at ambient temperature. Hindered by strong binding to the design frameworks, practical application of these systems may be limited unless protection from oxygen, water, and carbon monoxide is ensured.