Electrospun Metal Hydride-polymer Nanocomposite Fibers for Enhanced Hydrogen Storage and Kinetics

One of the key elements in the advancement of hydrogen (H2) and fuel cell technologies is to store H2 effectively for use in various industries, such as transportation, defense, portable electronics, and energy. Because of its highest energy density, availability, and environmental and health benefits, H2 stands as a promising future energy carrier. Currently, enterprises are searching for a solution for energy distribution management and H2 gas storage. Thus, there is a need to develop an innovative solution to H2 storage that might be considered for later use in aviation applications. This study aims to synthesize an electrospun nanocomposite fiber (NCF) for an H2 storage application and to understand the absorption kinetics of the resultant highly porous NCF mats. This study incorporates functional NCFs with H2-sensitive inclusions to increase the storage capacity and absorption/desorption kinetics of H2 gas at lower temperatures and pressures. Here, the electrospinning technique is utilized to produce NCFs with various nanoscale metal hydrides (MHs) and conductive particles, which support enhancing H2 storage capacity and kinetics. These NCFs enable controlled H2 storage and improve thermal properties. Selected polymeric materials for H2 storage that have been investigated are polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) in combination with MHs, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). On testing, it was observed that H2 capacity with SPEEK, which includes 4 wt% MWCNTs and 4 wt% MH MmNi4.5Fe0.5 shows significant H2 uptake compared to a PAN/PMMA polymer.