Qualitative examination of electric field enhanced hydrogen adsorption on nickel screens

The adsorption behaviors of nitrogen and hydrogen towards nickel screens under various electric fields were studied. A self-made instrument with high voltage supply was used for gas adsorption tests. Signals detected from gas adsorption tests indicate the adsorb behavior during adsorption and desorption processes. Distinctive hydrogen sorption enhancement is obtained by applying an elec-tric field on the samples. The higher the applied electric field strength is, the higher the hydrogen adsorption capacity is achieved in the tests. The amounts of adsorption capacity increased with increasing gas pressure are not obviously when the applied electric field is consistent. This enhancement is ascribed to stronger interactions between hydrogen and the sorbent under electric fields. A stronger adsorption force is generated by the polarization of hydrogen molecules; furthermore the charged species have capabilities to cluster hydrogen molecules.