Synergistic Effects of PAN/GO@SnO2 Nanofiber Composite Electrodes for High-Performance Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage

Abstract

Efficient synthesis and selection of nanomaterials characterized by high capacity and low cost are imperative in advancing energy storage technologies. Hydrogen, hailed as a carbon-neutral energy carrier, offers promising solutions for sustainable energy storage. Here, we introduce polyacrylonitrile/graphene oxide/tin oxide (PAN/GO@SnO₂) nanofibers (NFs) designed to optimize electrochemical hydrogen gas storage. Graphene NFs, derived from PAN polymer and reinforced with SnO₂, were synthesized via electrospinning for enhanced hydrogen storage applications. The hydrogen storage capacity of these nanostructures was systematically evaluated using electrochemical analysis across various currents (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2 mA). Our electrochemical findings demonstrate that PAN/GO@SnO₂ NFs, at an optimized current of 1.0 mA, exhibit superior hydrogen storage capabilities, with a capacity of 1111.11 mA h/g compared to 793.65 mA h/g for pure PAN/GO NFs. The substantial improvement in capacitance is attributed to enhanced absorption levels, high-capacity properties, and improved conductivity facilitated by SnO₂ incorporation. Furthermore, morphological analysis via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed a significant reduction in NF diameter for PAN/GO@SnO₂ NFs compared to PAN/GO NFs, attributed to the improved conductivity and viscosity from SnO₂, resulting in higher surface area and enhanced hydrogen adsorption sites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful integration of SnO₂ and GO by detecting characteristic peaks, indicating modifications in chemical bonding and enhanced stability. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrated the crystalline structure of SnO₂ within the composite, verifying uniform dispersion without compromising the polymer matrix. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and elemental mapping further validated the homogeneous distribution of SnO₂ across the NF surface, ensuring effective interaction between SnO₂ and GO. This study underscores the potential of PAN/GO@SnO₂ NFs as efficient materials for electrochemical hydrogen storage, supported by rigorous synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation methodologies.