An investigation for hydrogen storage capability of zirconia-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

In the present study we report how the modification of graphene oxide sheets to zirconiareduced graphene oxide (ZrO2-rGO) nanocomposite improves the electrochemical hydrogen storage. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) characterizations were carried out to confirm the successful preparation of the samples. Dinitrogen adsorption at 77 K was carried out to determine the surface area and porosity. ZrO2-rGO nanocomposite exhibited high surface area of 390 m(2) g(-1), thus making it a reliable hydrogen storage material. Electrochemical measurements carried on glassy carbon electrode in an aqueous KOH electrolytic solution. Investigation of adsorption-desorption behavior of ZrO2-rGO nano composite was done by cyclic voltammetry and the amount of hydrogen stored was found to be 1.2 wt% using chronopotentiometry. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.