Ni/C/SiO2 nanostructured composites synthesized by carbonization of carboxymethyl cellulose

Ni/C/SiO2 porous composites were synthesized by one-pot approach by carbonization of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/SiO2 xerogels containing NiCl2. Synthesized composites are mesoporous materials (average pore size 11.8 -15.1 nm) with the surface area 72.1 – 91.1 m2. Ni nanoparticles of 30-90 nm in diameter are evenly distributed within the volume of composites. The hydrogen sorption capacity at -196°C and 20 bar measured for as-synthesized samples was up to 0,32%.