Hydrogen Adsorption of PAN-based Porous Carbon Nanofibers using MgO as the Substrate

In this study, porous electrospun carbon fibers were prepared by electrospinning with PAN and $MgCl_2$, as a MgO precursor. MgO was selected as a substrate because of its chemical and thermal stability, no reaction with carbon, and ease of removal after carbonization by dissolving out in acidic solutions. $MgCl_2$ was mixed with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution as a precursor of MgO with various weight ratios of $MgCl_2$/PAN. The average diameter of porous electrospun carbon fibers increased from 1.3 to 3 ${\mu}m$, as the $MgCl_2$ to PAN weight ratio increased. During the stabilization step, $MgCl_2$ was hydrolyzed to MgOHCl by heat treatment. At elevated temperature of 823 K for carbonization step, MgOHCl was decomposed to MgO. Specific surface area and pore structure of prepared electrospun carbon fibers were decided by weight ratio of $MgCl_2$/PAN. The amount of hydrogen storage increased with increase of specific surface area and micropore volume of prepared electrospun carbon fibers.