Enhanced hydrogen storage capacity of Ni/ Sn-coated MWCNT nanocomposites

Abstract

The hydrogen storage capacity of Ni–Sn, Ni–Sn/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and
Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT electrodes was investigated by using a chronopotentiometry method.
The Sn layer was electrochemically deposited inside pores of nanoscale Ni foam. The MWCNTs
were put on the Ni–Sn foam with nanoscale porosities using an electrophoretic deposition
method and coated with Sn nanoparticles by an electroplating process. X-ray diffraction and
energy dispersive spectroscopy results indicated that the Sn layer and MWCNTs are successfully
deposited on the surface of Ni substrate. On the other hand, a field-emission scanning electron
microscopy technique revealed the morphology of resulting Ni foam, Ni–Sn and Ni–Sn/
MWCNT electrodes. In order to measure the hydrogen adsorption performed in a three electrode
cell, the Ni–Sn, Ni–Sn/MWCNT and Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT electrodes were used as working
electrodes whereas Pt and Ag/AgCl electrodes were employed as counter and reference
electrodes, respectively. Our results on the discharge capacity in different electrodes represent
that the Ni/Sn-coated MWCNT has a maximum discharge capacity of ∼30 000 mAh g−1 for 20
cycles compared to that of Ni–Sn/MWCNT electrodes for 15 cycles (∼9500 mAh g−1). By
increasing the number of cycles in a constant current, the corresponding capacity increases,
thereby reaching a constant amount for 20 cycles.