Facile “Green” synthesis of a novel Co–W–B catalyst from Rheum ribes shell extract and its effect on sodium borohydride hydrolysis: Kinetic mechanism

Abstract

The present investigation aimed to assess the influence of the Co–W–B NPs catalyst on the process of sodium borohydride hydrolysis. The study involved the synthesis of Co–W–B NPs through the utilization of an eco-friendly green synthesis extract derived from the Rheum ribes shell in conjunction with the chemical reduction technique for catalyst production. The investigation of catalysts' structure and surface morphology was conducted through the utilization of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The average particle size was determined to be 35 nm in TEM analysis. The presence of Co–W–B nanoparticles and their elemental composition % were determined through EDX analysis, revealing values of 63.9% (Co), 31.89% (C), 1.75% (B), and 2.46% (W) within the nanoparticle. The manufactured Co–W–B catalyst's use for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride was studied under various conditions, including different concentrations of NaOH and NaBH4, different amounts of catalyst, and different temperature parameters. The hydrogen production rate for the Co–W–B NPs catalyst in NaBH4 hydrolysis was determined to be 5367 mLg−1min−1 at 30 °C. The study involved the determination of TOF values for a catalyst composed of Co–W–B NPs, which were subjected to varying temperatures. The activation energies were determined through the utilization of the n-th order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic models and subsequently calculated using the Arrhenius equation, resulting in values of 35.36 and 31.70 kJ/mol, respectively. The values of enthalpy and entropy, ΔH and ΔS, were determined through the utilization of Eyring's equation, 18.49 kJ/mol and −80.7 J/mol.K, respectively.