Hydrogen storage in boron substituted carbon nanotubes

Template assisted synthesis of boron substituted carbon nanotubes was carried out by the carbonization of hydroborane polymer in alumina membrane template. The nanotubes were characterized by electron microscopic analysis, FT-Raman, FT-IR, XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 13C & 11B MAS NMR techniques. The presence of boron in different chemical environment has been visualized by XPS and 11B MAS NMR. The hydrogen absorption activity has been studied and a maximum of 2 wt% hydrogen storage capacity was observed. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.