Green Synthesis of Nickel Borides Supported over Multiwall Carbon Nanotube As a Novel Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

The use of non-renewable fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas significantly affects ecological system and human health. A substantial effort has been spending to find an eco-friendly and efficient energy source. Hydrogen appears as a green energy source which emits water as its byproduct during the combustion. The primary concern of hydrogen fuel is its dependence on fossil fuels in the production. Hydrogen feedstock material like Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) becomes potential, alternative source for manufacturing hydrogen fuel. However, the reaction between NaBH4 and water was slow and required a durable catalyst 1,2,3. The synthesis method of some catalysts is often expensive and require the use of various toxic chemicals4. The purpose of this study was to discover a green method of synthesizing nickel borides composite (NiB@MWCNT) and to utilize it in enhancing hydrogen generation reaction. The composite was synthesized from supported nickel metal organic framework (Ni-MOF-5) in the presence of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT). The structure and composition of NiB@MWCNT was determined by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Mircroscopy (SEM, Figure 1), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The catalytic efficiency of NiB@MWCNT was tested at temperatures of 281K, 295K, and 303K. The temperature trials indicated the activation energy was 43 kJ mol-1. NiB@MWCNT also showed a steady hydrogen generation of 44.4 ml through the reusable test.