Chitosan-mediated Co–Ce–B nanoparticles for catalyzing the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. (8th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Yongjin; Yin, Ying; Gao, Yubo; Xiang, Cuili; Chu, Hailiang; Qiu, Shujun; Yan, Erhu; Xu, Fen; Sun, Lixian
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 4912
• Page End: 4921
• Publication Date: 2018-03-08
• Subjects: Co–Ce–B -- Chitosan-derived carbon -- Catalytic activity -- NaBH4 -- Hydrolysis; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.01.125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Highly dispersed Co–Ce–B nanoparticles supported on chitosan-derived carbon (Co–Ce–B/Chi–C) were synthesized through chemical reduction and carbonization. The morphology and microstructure of the Co–Ce–B/Chi–C nanocomposite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller adsorption analysis. This nanocomposite had uniform morphology and large surface area, and it showed high catalytic activity for NaBH4 hydrolysis and good cycle stability. Compared with unsupported Co–Ce–B particles, this nanocomposite showed greatly increased catalytic activity for NaBH4 hydrolysis. A remarkably high hydrogen generation rate of 4760 mL −1 min −1 g −1 at 30 °C was achieved with low activation energy of 33.1 kJ mol −1 . These results indicate that the Co–Ce–B/Chi–C nanocomposite is a promising catalyst for on-demand hydrogen generation via NaBH4 hydrolysis. Highlights: Chitosan hydrogel mediated the formation of Co–Ce–B nanoparticles. Chitosan-derived carbon was uniformly doped by ∼50-nm-diameter Co–Ce–B nanoparticles. Co–Ce–B on a carbon support showed significantly enhanced catalytic activity. A maximum hydrogen generation rate of 4760 mL −1 min −1 g −1 at 30 °C was obtained.