Kinetic behaviour of a metal-polymer composite suitable for hydrogen storage applications

Hydrogen storage in composite materials is a feasible way to overcome the main drawbacks of the metal hydride systems. In the present paper, we report on the hydrogenation properties of three polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-palladium composite samples with different content of metallic fraction (5, 15, 50 in wt.%). Hydrogenation tests in different conditions of temperature and pressure were performed using a Sievert's type apparatus, while the microstructure of the samples was characterised by means of scanning electron microscopy observations and X-ray diffraction measurements. Results show that the hydrogen storage capacity is inversely proportional to the metallic content in the composite samples. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.