Title: Behaviour investigation of hematite nanorods synthesised by hydrothermal method use in hydrogen fuel storage

Authors: Van Dinh Son Tho, Luu Thi Lan Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Trung, Pham Van Thang, Nguyen Duc Hieu, Pham Phi Hung, Vo Thach Son, Tran Thanh Thai

Addresses: Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Petrochemical Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Lab of Physical Analysis and Measurement, Institute of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No.1 Daicoviet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam. ' Quynhon University, 170 Anduong, Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Abstract: For the first time, hematite nanorods were successfully synthesised using iron nitrate precursors in the presence of cation SO₄⁻². This is also the first time that an investigation into hematite nanorods behaviour for hydrogen fuel storage has been carried out. Microspheres constructed with α-FeOOH nanorods were synthesised via a novel hydrothermal method using a mixture of Fe(NO₃)₃ · 4H₂O and Na₂SO₄ as the initial material. The α-FeOOH was transformed into hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) nanorods through an annealing process at 600°C for 2 h. The influence of different anions on the formation of hematite α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods was investigated. Experimental results proved that the addition of Na₂SO₄ solution controlled the morphology of α-Fe₂O₃. Its structure and morphology were investigated using XRD, SEM and Raman techniques. The kinetic curve of hydrogen generation of some hematite morphology samples was examined by redox cycle and the hydrogen fuel was formed by oxidation with water vapour. Although the nanorod morphology of hematite samples was damaged during redox cycles, the samples demonstrated high activity for hydrogen generation in comparison with precipitation and sol gel samples. The ratio of H₂/Fe of nanorod samples for two redox cycles was 1.91% and 1.76%, respectively. Thus, hematite nanorods are a promising material for storage of hydrogen fuel.

Keywords: iron oxide; nanorods; magnetite; hydrothermal; hydrogen storage; hematite nanorods; iron nitrate; hydrogen fuel; nanotechnology; sodium sulphate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2011.038213

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2011 Vol.8 No.3/4/5, pp.371 - 382

Published online: 21 Jan 2011 *

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