Measured Enthalpies of Adsorption of Boron-Doped Activated Carbons

There is significant interest in the properties of boron-doped activated carbons for their potential to improve hydrogen storage.\footnote{Multiply Surface-Functionalized Nanoporous Carbon for Vehicular Hydrogen Storage, P. Pfeifer et al. DOE Hydrogen Program 2011 Annual Progress Report, IV.C.3, 444-449 (2011).} Boron-doped activated carbons have been produced using a process involving the pyrolysis of decaborane (B$_{10}$H$_{14})$ and subsequent high-temperature annealing. In this talk, we will present a systematic study of the effect of different boron doping processes on the samples' structure, hydrogen sorption, and surface chemistry. Initial room temperature experiments show a 20{\%} increase in the hydrogen excess adsorption per surface area compared to the undoped material. Experimental enthalpies of adsorption will be presented for comparison to theoretical predictions for boron-doped carbon materials. Additionally, results from a modified version of the doping process will be presented.