Synthesis of activated carbon from Zhundong coal and its hydrogen storage application

Abstract Activated carbon, as a hydrogen storage material, possesses advantages such as low cost, high safety, lightweight, and good cycling performance. Zhundong coal, characterized by low calorific value, high volatility, and elevated reaction activity, stands out as an exceptional raw material for the production of activated carbon. This study employed Zhundong coal for the synthesis of hydrogen storage activated carbon, exploring the impact of acid treatment and varied activation conditions on Zhundong coal. The specific surface area of sample ZD-HK3-AC is 1980 m 2 /g, and the gravimetric hydrogen storage density reaches 0.91 wt% under the condition of 80bar at room temperature. The adsorption–desorption isotherms nearly overlapped, demonstrating excellent cycling performance and high mechanical strength. At the same time, the relationship between the pore structure parameters of activated carbon and hydrogen storage density was explored, revealing the mechanism of activated carbon adsorption and hydrogen storage. These findings hold significant guiding implications for the preparation and research of hydrogen storage materials utilizing activated carbon.