Greener Approach Towards Synthesis of Palladium‐Decorated Graphene Derivatives for Hydrogen Adsorption

Abstract

A simple, green, and relatively fast procedure was used to prepare palladium decorated graphene‐based materials. A parent graphene‐like material with a high specific surface area of up to 384 m2/g and a total pore volume of 0.42 cm3/g was prepared via a fast, solvent‐free ball milling of graphite powder only. Post‐synthetic modification of this graphene‐like material was performed via a simplified method using palladium chloride and a small amount of a non‐harsh reducing agent – formic acid. Palladium decoration (2.1 wt%) allowed obtaining a few times higher hydrogen adsorption (0.42 wt% at 30 °C and 40 bar) compared to that on bare graphene‐based materials. Palladium‐decorated graphene materials are promising for hydrogen storage and their usage in this application represents an alternative for conventional fossil fuels. The proposed synthesis and post‐modification strategies are in line with green synthesis strategies.