pH effects on molecular hydrogen storage in porous organic cages deposited onto platinum electrodes

Abstract

Hydrogen absorption is a crucial process in energy storage (microscopic or macroscopic) and management and here a porous organic cage (POC) material is shown to bind and release hydrogen when deposited directly onto a platinum electrode and immersed into aqueous electrolyte. Preliminary voltammetry experiments for the POC CC3 deposited onto a platinum disc electrode reveal uptake and release of hydrogen gas (probably coupled to water release and uptake, respectively) in the vicinity of the electrode. Significant pH effects on the rate of binding and release are reported and explained with a change in H2 binding rate. In future, “wet” POCs or POCs dispersed in aqueous solution could be employed for enhancing hydrogen capture/transport in energy applications.