Hydrogen Generation by Hydrolysis of NaBH4 with Efficient Co–La–Mo–B Catalyst for PEM Fuel Cells

Abstract

In this study, Co–La–Mo–B catalyst used for hydrogen production by hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution was synthesized by chemical reduction method. Characterization of the synthesized catalyst was carried out with EDX and XRD. In hydrolysis experiments, the effect of parameters such as molybdenum, NaOH and NaBH4 concentration, catalyst amount and temperature were investigated. The best Mo concentration was found to be 5%. In the presence of the Co–La–Mo–B catalyst in NaBH4 hydrolysis, hydrogen initial production rate was found to be 9508 mL g–1min–1. The activation energy of NaBH4 hydrolyses was determined as 39.5 kJ/mol. The effect of hydrogen gas obtained using the Co–La–Mo–B catalyst in NaBH4 hydrolysis on fuel cell efficiency was determined by measuring I–V values. Average efficiency values according to power and ideal voltage were found as 60 and 80%, respectively. From the results, it can be said that the Co–La–Mo–B catalyst is an ideal catalyst for PEM fuel cell applications.