Preparation and enhancement of electrochemical hydrogen adsorption of IRMOF-1/Cd/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Excessive consumption of fossil fuel and environmental issues like climate change, increasing concentration of carbon dioxide, human diseases, extinction of various animal species etc. have always encouraged the implementation of green energy all around the globe. In order to meet the worldwide demand for energy, hydrogen has been suggested as a cost-efficient, clean, and safe source of energy having carbon-free combustion. However, the search for high-performance as well as sustainable solid materials in hydrogen storage applications is still being carried out to achieve the favorable outcome of “hydrogen economy”. The main goal of our study is to promote the electrochemical hydrogen storage performance of MOF-5 (also known as IRMOF-1) nanostructure and to enhance its stability against moisture using Cd/RGO lattice. During a successful and friendly-environment synthesis, the novel IRMOF-1₍₁₎/Cd/RGO nanocomposite exhibited enhancement in conductivity and electrochemical properties and dramatic improvement in stability in ambient moisture. Moreover, IRMOF-1₍₁₎/Cd/RGO nanocomposite as a novel compound, exhibited an extraordinary hydrogen storage capacity of 1300 mAhg⁻¹ at R.T. and ambient pressure, which is about 46 % better than that of Cd/RGO sample and approximately 35 % higher than IRMOF-1 sample. The enhanced hydrogen absorption is due to a compelling phenomenon called the “spillover effect” which improves the ability to store hydrogen.