Hydrogen generation from LiBH4 solution catalyzed by multiwalled carbon nanotubes supported Co–B nanocatalysts for a portable micro proton exchange membrane fuel cell application

Abstract

LiBH4 has high hydrogen storage capacities, and could potentially serve as a superior hydrogen storage material. In the hydrolytic process, however, incomplete hydrolysis caused by the agglomeration of its hydrolytic product and un-reacted LiBH4 limits its full utilization. Furthermore, application of hydrogen generated from LiBH4 aqueous solution for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has not been reported yet. In this paper, CNTs-supported Co–B nanocatalyst was used for hydrogen generation from LiBH4 solution. 22 wt% LiBH4 alkaline solution can fully release its stoichiometric amount of hydrogen and supply a 2.3 W portable PEMFC stack to run stably. The overall power density of the PEMFC/LiBH4 solution system with Co–B/CNTs addition is 1020 Wh L−1. Due to the high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen capacities, the LiBH4 solution could be used as a promising liquid hydrogen storage material for hydrogen fuel cells-based devices.