References
9
The coupling of the both has led to the remarkable progress in the field of hydrogen
storage [1]. Different investigations and analysis have reported the use of nanotechnology for chemisorption of hydrogen. For instance, ZhiGang et al. have reported the
barrierless physisorption to chemisorption of hydrogen molecules on the fullerenes,
doped with lightweight elements. The study employed local density approximation
(LDA) in density functional theory (DFT) as process. The DFT process is capable
of large systems at low computational costs. In practice, C 35 B fullerene is brought
onto the space of C 35 B − H2 stable system. The two C 35 B molecules now behave
like forceps with each attaching itself to the opposite side of the small H 2 molecules
resulting into its dissociation to H, H (with one H attached with each of C 35 B).
This is barrierless physisorption to chemisorption. The study suggested that H–H
bond breaking occurs because of energy discharge as C 35 B gets near to the C 35 BH2.
The evolved energy increased the bond length between H–H ultimately leading to
chemisorption of H 2 molecules in the hydrogen storage method. Overall the energy
decreases monotonously during this procedure [11]. Many other investigations that
employ nanotechnology in chemisorption of hydrogen are discussed in Chap. 8.
1.3.3 Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are regarded as the green power houses of the modern century. They are
thought as small sources with the ability to turn hydrogen energy or economy into
reality. The depletion of existing energy sources and increased pollution caused by
their production and use are the major reasons behind the immense research in the
area of hydrogen fuel cells [1, 2]. A typical hydrogen fuel cell consists of two electrodes (cathode and anode) and an electrolyte membrane (mostly proton exchange
membrane, i.e., PEM). The hydrogen and oxygen enter through the anode and cathode
of a fuel cell, respectively [6]. The hydrogen fuel cells utilized nanotechnology in
variety of ways. In the last few years, fuel cells have exhibited remarkable consistency and lower prices owing to the inclusion of nanomaterials in their production.
The involvement of nanotechnology in the fabrication of fuels cells allows high
aspect ratio, greater surface area which leads to more power generation, high energy
densities, easy miniaturization, and longer shelf life. All of these characteristics are
vital for the preparation of powerful fuel cell for transportable electric devices [8,
9]. Some of the fuel cells involve the use of nanomembranes [10] while other uses
nanomaterial as electrodes [11]. Nanomaterials are also used as catalysts in some of
the fuel cells [12]. A detailed study of nanotechnology and its applications in fuel
cells is provided in Chap. 9.
The book aims to discuss in detail the applications of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in various areas of sustainable hydrogen production and storage. The major
aim behind the work is to assist the scientists and researchers in the field of sustainable
energy.
9
The coupling of the both has led to the remarkable progress in the field of hydrogen
storage [1]. Different investigations and analysis have reported the use of nanotechnology for chemisorption of hydrogen. For instance, ZhiGang et al. have reported the
barrierless physisorption to chemisorption of hydrogen molecules on the fullerenes,
doped with lightweight elements. The study employed local density approximation
(LDA) in density functional theory (DFT) as process. The DFT process is capable
of large systems at low computational costs. In practice, C 35 B fullerene is brought
onto the space of C 35 B − H2 stable system. The two C 35 B molecules now behave
like forceps with each attaching itself to the opposite side of the small H 2 molecules
resulting into its dissociation to H, H (with one H attached with each of C 35 B).
This is barrierless physisorption to chemisorption. The study suggested that H–H
bond breaking occurs because of energy discharge as C 35 B gets near to the C 35 BH2.
The evolved energy increased the bond length between H–H ultimately leading to
chemisorption of H 2 molecules in the hydrogen storage method. Overall the energy
decreases monotonously during this procedure [11]. Many other investigations that
employ nanotechnology in chemisorption of hydrogen are discussed in Chap. 8.
1.3.3 Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are regarded as the green power houses of the modern century. They are
thought as small sources with the ability to turn hydrogen energy or economy into
reality. The depletion of existing energy sources and increased pollution caused by
their production and use are the major reasons behind the immense research in the
area of hydrogen fuel cells [1, 2]. A typical hydrogen fuel cell consists of two electrodes (cathode and anode) and an electrolyte membrane (mostly proton exchange
membrane, i.e., PEM). The hydrogen and oxygen enter through the anode and cathode
of a fuel cell, respectively [6]. The hydrogen fuel cells utilized nanotechnology in
variety of ways. In the last few years, fuel cells have exhibited remarkable consistency and lower prices owing to the inclusion of nanomaterials in their production.
The involvement of nanotechnology in the fabrication of fuels cells allows high
aspect ratio, greater surface area which leads to more power generation, high energy
densities, easy miniaturization, and longer shelf life. All of these characteristics are
vital for the preparation of powerful fuel cell for transportable electric devices [8,
9]. Some of the fuel cells involve the use of nanomembranes [10] while other uses
nanomaterial as electrodes [11]. Nanomaterials are also used as catalysts in some of
the fuel cells [12]. A detailed study of nanotechnology and its applications in fuel
cells is provided in Chap. 9.
The book aims to discuss in detail the applications of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in various areas of sustainable hydrogen production and storage. The major
aim behind the work is to assist the scientists and researchers in the field of sustainable
energy.