• Tran, I.C.; Félix, R.; Bär, M.; Weinhardt, L.; Zhang, Y.; Heske C.: Oxidation of titanium-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes and subsequent reduction by lithium. Journal of the American Chemical Society 132 (2010), p. 5789-5792


Abstract:
The chemical surface structure of Ti-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is studied. X-ray photoelectron spectra show that Ti adatoms on the SWNT surface oxidize even under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions, presenting a serious obstacle for the use of Ti-decorated SWNTs for hydrogen storage. A subsequent deposition of Li can, however, reduce the degree of Ti oxidation, “liberating” Ti atoms for the interaction with hydrogen molecules in hydrogen storage applications.