A study on hydrogen generation from NaBH4 solution using Co-loaded resin catalysts

Abstract

Hydrogen production via chemical processes has gained great attention in recent years. In this study, Co-based complex catalyst obtained by adsorption of Co metal to Amberlite IRC-748 resin and Diaion CR11 were tested for hydrogen production from alkaline NaBH4 via hydrolysis process. Their catalytic activity and microstructure were investigated. Process parameters affecting the catalytic activity, such as NaOH concentration, Co percentage and catalyst amount, as well as NaBH4 concentration and temperature were investigated. Furthermore, characteristics of these catalysts were carried out via SEM, XRD and FT-IR analysis. Hydrogen production rates equal to 211 and 221 ml min−1 gcat−1 could be obtained with Amberlite IRC-748 resin and Diaion CR11 Co based complex catalysts, respectively. The activation energies of the catalytic hydrolysis reaction of NaBH4 were calculated as 46.9 and 59.42 kJ mol−1 for Amberlite IRC-748 resin and Diaion CR11 based catalysts respectively kJ mol−1 from the system consisting of 3% Co, 10 wt% NaBH4 and 7 wt% NaOH as well as 50 mg catalyst dosage. It can be concluded that Co-based resins as catalysts for hydrogen production is an effective alternative to other catalysts having higher rate.