Activation, characterization and hydrogen storage properties of the mesoporous carbon CMK-3 Original Research Article

Activation of mesoporous carbon CMK-3 with CO2 for hydrogen storage was studied. Huge structure and texture changes emerged for the activated CMK-3 based on the characterization by using XRD, TEM and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The ordered mesoporous structure of CMK-3 gradually became disorder and its specific surface area and volume of pores especially micropores were enhanced remarkably. Hydrogen sorption measurement showed that the activation led to an obvious increase of the H2 sorption capacity of CMK-3. The maximum H2 uptake of 2.27 wt% at 77 K and 1 bar was obtained for the sample activated at 1223 K for 8 h. The small pores with the diameter smaller than 1 nm contributed greatly to the H2 uptake, and were confirmed more effective than other pores for hydrogen storage.