Strain induced lithium functionalized graphane as a high capacity hydrogen storage material

Strain effects on the stability, electronic structure, and hydrogen storage capacity of lithium-doped graphane have been investigated by state-of-the-art first principles density functional theory. Molecular dynamics simulations have confirmed the stability of Li on graphane sheet when it is subject to 10% of tensile strain. Under biaxial asymmetric strain, the binding energy of Li of graphane (CH) sheet increases by 52% with respect to its bulk’s cohesive energy. With 25% doping concentration of Li on CH sheet, the gravimetric density of hydrogen storage is found to reach up to 12.12 wt. %. The adsorption energies of H₂ are found to be within the range of practical H₂ storage applications.