Adsorption of hydrogen and deuterium on A-type zeolites at 77 K after various heat treatments

Molecular sieves (MSs) are a potentially useful means of hydrogen isotope recovery as well as the temporary storage and supply of such isotopes. In this study, the hydrogen adsorption isotherms for various MS samples were acquired after applying different water removal processes to activate the MSs. MS-3A sample was found not to adsorb hydrogen regardless of the activation conditions. MS-4A sample adsorbed hydrogen at 77 K after heating at 473, 513, and 673 K. However, the adsorption amount after heating at 473, 513 K was considerably less than that at 673 K. Consequently, heating at 673 K was required to activate this type of MS. In the case of an MS-5A sample, the presence of residual water had little effect on hydrogen isotope adsorption at 77 K. From these results, it is evident that MS-5A is the most suitable hydrogen adsorption material because it is readily activated and is less affected by water adsorption.