A New Application for Colloidal Silica Particles: Natural, Environmentally Friendly, Low-Cost, and Reusable Catalyst Material for H2 Production from NaBH4 Methanolysis

Abstract

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) and metal composites (MCs) are generally used as catalysts for the methanolysis reaction of NaBH4. Here, we report the direct use of silica (SiO2) particles as an alternative catalyst for green energy carriers in H2 generation from the methanolysis of NaBH4. The SiO2 particles of different sizes were synthesized using the very well-known Stober method and then treated with various acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and acetic acid (CH3COOH). The hydrodynamic diameter of prepared SiO2 particles ranged between 200 and 800 nm measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) with zeta potential values of about −46 and −37 mV. The BET surface area of SiO2 particles was measured between about 4–25 m2 g–1. The catalytic performances of the prepared SiO2 particles in methanolysis of NaBH4 were tested in terms of the effect and the type of treatment agents, acid and base, the hydrodynamic diameter of SiO2 particles, the reu...