Cobalt–nickel–phosphorus supported on Pd-activated TiO 2 (Co–Ni–P/Pd-TiO 2) as cost-effective and reusable catalyst for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution

Abstract

Catalytically active, low-cost, and reusable transition metal catalysts are desired to develop on-demand hydrogen generation system for practical onboard applications. Electrolessly deposited Pd-activated TiO 2-supported Co–Ni–P ternary alloy catalyst (Co–Ni–P/Pd-TiO 2) is employed as catalyst in the hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution. The catalyst is found to be isolable, redispersible, and reusable in the hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH 4. The reported work also includes the full experimental details for the collection of a wealth of kinetic data to determine the activation energy ( E a = 57.0 kJ/mol) and effects of the amount of catalyst, amount of substrate, and temperature on the rate for the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH 4. Maximum H 2 generation rate of ∼460 mL H 2 min −1 (g catalyst) −1 and ∼3780 mL H 2 min −1 (g catalyst) −1 was measured by the hydrolysis of NaBH 4 at 25 °C and 55 °C, respectively.