Interaction of hydrogen with carbon coils at low temperature

Hydrogen was adsorbed on carbon coils under 10 MPa hydrogen gas at liquid nitrogen temperature. The equilibrium pressure of hydrogen desorbed from the as-grown carbon coils with an amorphous structure was three to four times greater than those of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and active carbons (AC). The heat treatment of the carbon coils at 850 degreesC contributed to an increase in hydrogen adsorption by 20% compared to the as-grown carbon coils. On the other hand, the adsorption of hydrogen gas on the carbon coils decreased significantly after heat treatment at a temperature higher than 1000 degreesC due to formation of capsule-like carbon composed of 10-20 layers on the surface of the carbon coils. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.