Tunable Gravimetric and Volumetric Hydrogen Storage Capacities in Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Frameworks

Two-Dimensional Polymers and Polymerizations

Synthetic chemists have developed robust methods to synthesize discrete molecules, linear and branched polymers, and disordered cross-linked networks. However, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) prepared from designed monomers have been long missing from these capabilities, both as objects of chemical synthesis and in nature. Recently, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization of covalently linked macromolecular sheets. Here we review 2DPs and 2D polymerization methods. Three predominant 2D polymerization strategies have emerged to date, which produce 2DPs either as monolayers or multilayer assemblies. We discuss the fundamental understanding and scope of each of these approaches, including: the bond-forming reactions used, the synthetic diversity of 2DPs prepared, their multilayer stacking behaviors, nanoscale and mesoscale structures, and macroscale morphologies. Additionally, we describe the analytical tools currently available to characterize 2DPs in their various isolated forms. Finally, we review emergent 2DP properties and the potential applications of planar macromolecules. Throughout, we highlight achievements in 2D polymerization and identify opportunities for continued study.

Reversible Hydrogen Storage in Metal-Decorated Honeycomb Borophene Oxide

Two-dimensional (2D) boron-based materials are receiving much attention as H2 storage media due to the low atomic mass of boron and the stability of decorating alkali metals on the surface, which enhance interactions with H2. This work investigates the suitability of Li, Na, and K decorations on 2D honeycomb borophene oxide (B2O) for H2 storage, using dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT-D2). A high theoretical gravimetric density of 8.3 wt % H2 is achieved for the Li-decorated B2O structure. At saturation, each Li binds to two H2 with an average binding energy of -0.24 eV/H2. Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations at temperatures of 100, 300, and 500 K demonstrate the stability of the Li-decorated structure and the H2 desorption behavior at different temperatures. Our findings indicate that Li-decorated 2D B2O is a promising material for reversible H2 storage and recommend experimental investigation of 2D B2O as a potential H2 storage medium.

Modeling of Hydrogen Storage Utilizing Silsesquioxane Cages: Adsorption and Quasi-Dynamic Simulations of Encapsulation of H2 Molecule into Silsesquioxane Cages

Solid-state hydrogen storage may be the only promising way for mobile applications of hydrogen energy since it is safe, quickly reversible, cost-efficient, and has a high volumetric energy density under standard conditions. Silsesquioxane and its derivatives seem well suited for solid-state hydrogen storage and have attracted many experimental and theoretical researchers. In the present work, we have systematically studied four cages of T8, T10, and T12 (D_2d and D_6h) for hydrogen storage including adsorption and encapsulation of hydrogen molecules. We find that silsesquioxane cages have up to about 4150 m²/g specific surface area (SSA) and 7.81 wt % for hydrogen storage. These calculated values are comparable to the highest hydrogen storage values of metal-organic frameworks, porous polymer networks, and covalent organic frameworks. In addition, we use the quasi-dynamic method to study the encapsulation of hydrogen molecules into these cages because of the timescale limitation of ab initio molecular dynamics. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and Gibbs free energy at different temperatures are calculated during the insertion processes. We find that the insertion process of a hydrogen molecule into the T12 (D_6h) cage is almost energy-conserved and its energy barriers of enthalpy and free energy are moderate under standard conditions.

From the perspectives of DFT calculations, thermodynamic modeling, and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations: the interaction between hydrogen and Sc2C monolayers

In this study, we have examined the adsorption properties of hydrogen on pristine Sc₂C monolayers by DFT calculations. Based on these calculations, we have proposed a thermodynamic model to estimate the hydrogen storage capability within the typical ranges for the operating temperature and pressure. Our thermodynamic modeling has shown that the maximum uptake of usable hydrogen could reach up to 7.2 wt% under cryogenic conditions. When calculating the usable hydrogen uptake, we have taken into consideration that, under realistic operating conditions, not all hydrogen adsorbed on pristine Sc₂C can be desorbed from the surface, as some surface-adsorbate interactions are too strong. On the other hand, the interaction between the usable hydrogen and Sc₂C appears to be too weak to reach the targets for the year 2025 set by the US Department of Energy (5.5 wt% at operating temperatures between 233 K and 358 K and delivery pressures of up to 12 bar). According to the modeling results, one needs to decrease the temperature to 120 K to reach 5.5 wt% hydrogen uptake at 12 bar. The results obtained with the thermodynamic model have been confirmed with a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, which has also been used to estimate the time scale of the hydrogen adsorption and desorption processes. In addition, we have also evaluated the changes in the electronic structure of the Sc₂C monolayer upon adsorbing hydrogen. As the band gap of Sc₂C changes significantly upon adsorbing H₂, Sc₂C may have more potential as a hydrogen detector instead of as a hydrogen storage material.

Porous Aromatic Frameworks (PAFs)

Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) represent an important category of porous solids. PAFs possess rigid frameworks and exceptionally high surface areas, and, uniquely, they are constructed from carbon-carbon-bond-linked aromatic-based building units. Various functionalities can either originate from the intrinsic chemistry of their building units or are achieved by postmodification of the aromatic motifs using established reactions. Specially, the strong carbon-carbon bonding renders PAFs stable under harsh chemical treatments. Therefore, PAFs exhibit specificity in their chemistry and functionalities compared with conventional porous materials such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks. The unique features of PAFs render them being tolerant of severe environments and readily functionalized by harsh chemical treatments. The research field of PAFs has experienced rapid expansion over the past decade, and it is necessary to provide a comprehensive guide to the essential development of the field at this stage. Regarding research into PAFs, the synthesis, functionalization, and applications are the three most important topics. In this thematic review, the three topics are comprehensively explained and aptly exemplified to shed light on developments in the field. Current questions and a perspective outlook will be summarized.

Electronic Structure Calculations of Hydrogen Storage in Lithium-Decorated Metal-Graphyne Framework

Porous metal-graphyne framework (MGF) made up of graphyne linker decorated with lithium has been investigated for hydrogen storage. Applying density functional theory spin-polarized generalized gradient approximation with the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional containing Grimme's diffusion parameter with double numeric polarization basis set, the structural stability, and physicochemical properties have been analyzed. Each linker binds two Li atoms over the surface of the graphyne linker forming MGF-Li₈ by Dewar coordination. On saturation with hydrogen, each Li atom physisorbs three H₂ molecules resulting in MGF-Li₈-H₂₄. H₂ and Li interact by charge polarization mechanism leading to elongation in average H-H bond length indicating physisorption. Sorption energy decreases gradually from ≈0.4 to 0.20 eV on H₂ loading. Molecular dynamics simulations and computed sorption energy range indicate the high reversibility of H₂ in the MGF-Li₈ framework with the hydrogen storage capacity of 6.4 wt %. The calculated thermodynamic practical hydrogen storage at room temperature makes the Li-decorated MGF system a promising hydrogen storage material.