Abstract: Ordered mesoporous carbon materials were successfully synthesized by an easy method of the carbonization of sulfuric-acid-treated silica/triblock copolymer/sucrose composites. The morphologies, structures and pore characteristics of the carbon materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption desorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEMand HRTEM) measurements. On the basis of comparing the surface areas and pore properties of two ordered mesoporous carbons obtained by changing the content of the reactants, their electrochemical hydrogen storage capacities were tested by Galvanostatic charge-discharge measurement. The results showed that the carbon material (C-P) with higher specific surface area (720 m2·g-1) and pore volume (0.86 cm3·g-1) had higher hydrogen storage capacity (70.1 mAh·g-1) than the carbon material (C-S) (64.1 mAh·g-1) with lower specific surface area (610 m2·g-1) and pore volume (0.66 cm3·g-1). Both of the two ordered mesoporous carbons exhibited higher hydrogen storage capacities than the single-walled carbon nanotubes (25.9 mAh·g-1). The cyclic voltammetry measurement indicated that the ordered mesoporous carbon electrode possessed higher electrochemical activity than single-walled carbon nanotubes electrode.

Key words: Ordered mesoporous carbon, Electrochemical hydrogen storage, Hydrogen adsorption