Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
features suitable for the development of super-adsorbents to be
used in fuel-cell-powered vehicles.
In this case, the carbonaceous super-adsorbents (the carbon-
based nanomaterials) could be stored into steel vessels at hydrogen
pressure of about 10-15 MPa (100-150 atm). Such working
conditions are much more acceptable with respect to both cost and
safety requirements [1], in comparison with the composite vessels
requiring high hydrogen pressure (700-800 atm). This technology
could be used for an efficient hydrogen storage, which remains
one of the main technical issues to be resolved to promote a clean,
environmentally friendly hydrogen economy. It could also have
positive fall out on other industries based on hydrogen generation
from water splitting, using either nuclear or tidal energy.
On the other hand, a number of researchers do not yet
believe in the possibility of a hydrogen multilayer intercalation
with carbonaceous nanostructures at ambient pressures and
temperatures, even if it is out of physics and chemistry predictions.
Figure 2.1
Schematic design and TEM images of carbon nanostructures:
(a) graphite nanofibers (GNF), (b) multiwall nanotubes and
(c) a bundle of single-wall nanotubes.
