Review of hydrogen storage by adsorption in carbon nanotubes

This work deals with hydrogen adsorption in carbon nanotube materials over a wide range of pressure and temperature in order to establish the reliability of this phenomenon as a valuable storage technique of hydrogen. Our purpose is to give, discuss and compare the different results published comprising our works. Both experimental and simulation adsorption data concerning the hydrogen gas within nanotube material framework are given. A comparison between the different studies should enable to gain a better knowledge of hydrogen adsorption in nanotubes and then to answer the following questions: How and where did the gas adsorption occur? Moreover, we will consider the possibility of controlling tube diameters and lengths that will enable to optimize nanotube structure for a maximal hydrogen adsorption. Indeed, the possibility of controlling microscopic parameters will enable to control the main material macroscopic property: the gas adsorption. Finally, it is noticeable that both the material synthesis and purification will have to be optimized in order to enable the gas adsorption measurements. Indeed, the adsorbent material will have to be available in large amounts with high degree of purity to ensure the hydrogen storage by adsorption in carbon nanotubes. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy.