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H2 Dissociative Adsorption at the Zigzag Edges of Graphite

2004; Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science; Volume: 2; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1380/ejssnt.2004.77

1348-0391

Wilson Agerico Diño, Hiroshi Nakanishi, Hideaki Kasai, Tsuyoshi Sugimoto, Takuya Kondo,

Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies

Based on the density functional theory, we investigate and discuss how hydrogen behaves at the edges of graphite sheets/layers, in particular the zigzag edge. Our calculation results show that the zigzag edge is very reactive. It is possible to dissociatively adsorb H2 on these surfaces without any activation barrier hindering the reaction. To be able to use carbon nanomaterials as a means to store hydrogen, one of the crucial factors necessary would be the ability to dissociate hydrogen first, and then (somehow) induce them to stick to the carbons on each sheets. The results we present here suggest the possible utility of the zigzag edge as a reaction channel to carry out the aforementioned process. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2004.77]