Sodium Borohydride In Aqueous Solution Research Articles

Ceria supported manganese(0) nanoparticle catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Herein we report for the first time the preparation and catalytic use of the ceria supported manganese(0) nanoparticles in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. They are in situ formed from the reduction of manganese(II) ions on the surface of ceria nanopowders during the catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride in aqueous solution at room temperature. Manganese(0) nanoparticles are isolated from the reaction solution by centrifugation and characterized by a combination of analytical techniques. Nanoceria supported manganese(0) nanoparticles are highly active and long-lived catalysts providing a turnover frequency of 417 h−1 and 45,000 turnovers in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. They also have high durability as they retain 55% of their initial catalytic activity after the fifth cycle of hydrolysis providing a release of 4 equivalent H2 gas per mol of sodium borohydride. The noticeable activity loss in successive runs of hydrolysis is attributed to the deactivation due to agglomeration. High activity and stability of ceria supported manganese(0) nanoparticles are ascribed to the unique nature of reducible cerium oxide. The formation of cerium(III) defects under catalytic conditions provides strong binding for the manganese(0) nanoparticles to oxide surface which makes the catalytic activity and stability favorable. Our report also includes the results of kinetic study of catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride depending on the temperature, catalyst and substrate concentration.

Ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on silica coated Fe3O4 as magnetically separable catalysts for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on bare or silica-coated magnetite are prepared by impregnation of ruthenium(III) ions followed by their reduction with aqueous solution of sodium borohydride on the surface of support. These magnetically isolable catalysts are used in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at room temperature. They conserve their initial catalytic activity even after the fifth reuse in the hydrolysis reaction. Ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on bare magnetite and silica-coated magnetite provide turnover frequency values of 29 min−1 and 127 min−1 and in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. Thus, coating of the surface of magnetite with silica results in a significant enhancement in catalytic activity of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane.

Influence of the chemically synthesis conditions on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the Co-Fe-B nanoparticles

Co-Fe-B particles present a high potential for applications in microwave domain (electromagnetic shielding, toroidal transformer, etc.) due to their special soft magnetic properties like high saturation magnetization, low coercivity, large anisotropy and high magnetic permeability. However, their microwave applications are limited to about few gigahertzes due to the eddy current losses if the size of the particles is larger than few hundred of nanometers. Chemical synthesis method gives the possibility to obtain nanoparticles with diameters from few nanometers to tens of nanometers by varying the parameters of the chemical synthesis. One way to avoids the agglomeration of the particles in the utilization of the polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) which is acting as dispersant and dimensions controlling agent for nanoparticles.The aim of this paper is to study the influence of the synthesis conditions on the magnetic properties and microstructure of Co-Fe-B nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction method in order to obtains nanoparticles with magnetic properties suitable for high frequency applications in the 0.1 ÷ 12 GHz frequency range.Co-Fe-B nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction of CoCl2·6H2O and FeSO4·7H2O salts in aqueous solution of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in presence of the polyvinyl-pirrolydone (PVP). The experimental results indicate that the amount of PVP, Fe/Co ratio and the temperature of the chemical synthesis are important parameters which have to be controlled in order to obtain nanoparticles with desired dimensions, nanostructure and soft magnetic properties with suitable properties for high frequency applications.

Amorphous ferromagnetic cobalt-boron composition reduced by sodium borohydride: Phase transformation at heat-treatment and its influence on the catalytic properties

The cobalt-boron composition by reduction of cobalt chloride in an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride is an amorphous ferromagnetic black powder consisting of spherical particles covered with a shell. Transformations of cobalt-boron composition upon its heat treatment from 20 to 1000°С in an inert atmosphere have been studied by thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility and HR TEM. On the basis of the obtained results the heating process was divided into five temperature intervals characterized by considerable changes in the structure of cobalt-boron composition. The end products of chemical and structural transformations are cobalt metal and cobalt borates – Co2B2O5, Co3BO5, Co3(BO3)2. In our study it was shown for the first time that the metallic phase with a face-centered cubic lattice forms from the amorphous core while the cobalt borates form as a result of transformation of an oxygen-containing shell under an inert atmosphere. The study of the effect of physicochemical properties of the calcined cobalt-boron composition on the rate of NaBH4 hydrolysis has shown that it decreases with decline specific surface area of the sample and its phase composition determines the rate of formation of the catalytic active component in the reaction medium.

Solid-State Hydrogen-Generating Composites Based on Sodium Borohydride: Effect of the Heat Treatment of Boron–Cobalt Catalysts on the Hydrogen Generation Rate

Calcined boron–cobalt catalysts prepared by reduction of cobalt chloride in an aqueous sodium borohydride solution can be successfully used as components of pelletized solid-state hydrogen-generating composites based on sodium borohydride. Morphological changes and phase and chemical transformations occurring in the catalysts with an increase in the calcination temperature were studied. The catalyst performance in hydrolysis of sodium borohydride was determined. The hydrogen generation rate depends on the specific surface area of the calcined sample.

Cobalt-boron catalyst for NaBH4 hydrolysis: The state of the active component forming from cobalt chloride in a reaction medium

The structure of a cobalt-boron catalyst obtained by reduction of cobalt chloride in an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride at ambient temperature has been investigated by TEM HR, XPS, EXAFS and X-ray diffraction method. It was found that nanoparticles of the forming catalyst consisted of a core and a shell. The oxygen-containing compounds (cobalt hydroxide and cobalt borates) mainly reside in the shell. In spite of the amorphous state of the catalyst the EXAFS and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of ferromagnetic clusters with the shortest CoCo distance of about 2.5Å and coordination number of 2.7 which are regularly distributed within the core with average separations of 5.8Å. The presence in the catalyst of the CoB bonds, a short CoCo distance and the absence of long CoCo distances (4.3 and 4.8Å) as well as the presence of boron bound to hydrogen allows suggestion to be made that stabilization of the cobalt tetramers occurs due to the presence of a boron-hydrogen structure formed by BH4− ions upon the reduction of cobalt chloride. To substantiate the above model of the active phase of the cobalt-boron catalyst the DFT method with a PBE functional in the plane-wave basis has been employed which showed that the ferromagnetic tetramers may exist within a boron-hydrogen matrix isolated from the surrounding medium by an oxygen-containing shell.

The use of graphene oxide-embedded superporous poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) cryogels for p(aniline) conductive polymer synthesis and their use in sensor applications

Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-graphene oxide (p(HEMA)-GO) cryogel composites were prepared by including GO during cryopolymerization. The GO within p(HEMA) cryogels was reduced by treating p(HEMA)-GO cryogel composites with the aqueous solutions of hydriodic acid, hydrazine, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, and sodium borohydride. The changes in conductivities of p(HEMA)-GO and its reduced forms, p(HEMA)-r-GO cryogel composites, were compared. The conductivity of bare p(HEMA), and p(HEMA)-GO cryogel were almost the same at 1.03×10−10±1.3×10−11 and 1.08×10−10±5.8×10−12S·cm−1, respectively; whereas, upon reduction, the conductivity of p(HEMA)-r-GO cryogel composites increased to 4.80×10−7±5.9×10−8S·cm−1 (~4000-fold increase). Moreover, upon in situ synthesis of conductive polyaniline (p(An)) within p(HEMA)-r-GO cryogel composites as p(HEMA)-r-GO/p(An) semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN), the conductivity increased 250-fold more than p(HEMA)-r-GO composite, and 1 million-fold more than the bare p(HEMA) or p(HEMA)-GO cryogels with a conductivity value of 1.38×10−4±2.5×10−5S·cm−1. Furthermore, p(HEMA)-r-GO composite and p(HEMA)-r-GO/p(An) composite semi-IPN conductive cryogel systems were tested as sensor materials for HCl and NH3 gases. The conductivity of p(HEMA)-r-GO composite increased 3-fold upon 15min HCl gas exposure, and decreased 4-fold after 15min NH3 gas exposure. Also, the conductivity of p(HEMA)-r-GO/p(An) composite semi-IPN conductive cryogel systems were increased 2-fold and decreased 46-fold upon 15min exposures to HCl and NH3 gas, respectively.

Nanoceria supported palladium(0) nanoparticles: Superb catalyst in dehydrogenation of formic acid at room temperature

Highly efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid (FA) at room temperature was achieved using palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on nanoceria (Pd0/CeO2) as catalysts. Pd0/CeO2 was prepared by impregnation of palladium(II) ions on the surface of ceria followed by their reduction with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution at room temperature. Pd0/CeO2 was isolated from the reaction solution by centrifugation and characterized by a combination of advanced analytical techniques. The catalytic activity of Pd0/CeO2 samples with various Pd loading in the range 1.0–5.0% wt was tested in dehydrogenation of formic acid plus sodium formate with a molar ratio of FA/SF=1/9. Pd0/CeO2 with Pd loading of 2.27% wt shows superb catalytic activity in dehydrogenation of FA with a turnover frequency (TOF) value of 1400h−1 at 25.0±0.1°C. The superb catalytic activity of Pd0/CeO2 is ascribed to the reducible nature of ceria during the decomposition of FA (HCO2H→CO2+H2). The kinetic data, obtained by measuring the volume of pure H2 gas, could be converted to the change in concentration of FA by considering the equilibrium between the formate ion and formic acid (HCO2H⇋HCOO−+H3O+). The FA concentration versus time data fit to the first order kinetics with respect to the FA concentration.

Nickel nanoparticles decorated on electrospun polycaprolactone/chitosan nanofibers as flexible, highly active and reusable nanocatalyst in the reduction of nitrophenols under mild conditions

Today, the reduction of nitro aromatics stands a major challenge because of the pollutant and detrimental nature of these compounds. In the present study, we show that nickel(0) nanoparticles (Ni-NP) decorated on electrospun polymeric (polycaprolactone(PCL)/chitosan) nanofibers (Ni-NP/ENF) effectively catalyze the reduction of various nitrophenols (2-nitrophenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol) under mild conditions. Ni-NP/ENF nanocatalyst was reproducibly prepared by deposition-reduction technique. The detailed characterization of these Ni-NP/ENF based nanocatalyst have been performed by using various spectroscopic tools including ICP-OES, P-XRD, XPS, SEM, BFTEM, HRTEM and BFTEM-EDX techniques. The results revealed the formation of well-dispersed nickel(0) NP (dmean=2.71–2.93nm) on the surface of electrospun polymeric nanofibers. The catalytic activity of the resulting Ni-NP/ENF was evaluated in the catalytic reduction of nitrophenols in aqueous solution in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agent, in which Ni-NP/ENF nanocatalyst has shown high activity (TOF=46.2mol 2-nitrophenol/mol Nimin; 48.2mol 2,4-dinitrophenol/mol Nimin; 65.6mol 2,4,6-trinitrophenol/mol Nimin). More importantly, due to the nanofibrous polymeric support, Ni-NP/ENF has shown a flexible characteristics along with reusability property. Testing the catalytic stability of Ni-NP/ENF revealed that this new catalytic material provides high reusability performance (at 3rd reuse 86% for 2-nitrophenol, 83% 2,4-dinitrophenol and 82% 2,4,6-trinitrophenol) for the reduction of nitrophenols even at room temperature and under air. The present study reported here also includes the compilation of wealthy kinetic data for Ni-NP/ENF catalyzed the reduction of nitrophenols in aqueous sodium borohydride solution depending on temperature and type of support material (Al2O3, C, SiO2) to understand the effect of the support material and determine the activation parameters.

Metal Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Reduction Using Borohydride in Aqueous Media: A Kinetic Analysis of the Surface Reaction by Microfluidic SERS

AbstractHydrides are widely used in reduction reactions. In protic solvents, their hydrolysis generates molecular hydrogen as a second reducing agent. The competition between these two parallel reduction pathways has been overlooked so far since both typically yield the same product. We investigated the platinum‐catalyzed reduction of 4‐nitrothiophenol to 4‐aminothiophenol in aqueous sodium borohydride solution as a prominent model reaction, by using label‐free SERS monitoring in a microfluidic reactor. Kinetic analysis revealed a strong pH dependence. Surprisingly, only at pH>13 the reduction is driven exclusively by sodium borohydride. This study demonstrates the potential of microfluidics‐based kinetic SERS monitoring of heterogeneous catalysis in colloidal suspension.

Metal Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Reduction Using Borohydride in Aqueous Media: A Kinetic Analysis of the Surface Reaction by Microfluidic SERS

Hydrides are widely used in reduction reactions. In protic solvents, their hydrolysis generates molecular hydrogen as a second reducing agent. The competition between these two parallel reduction pathways has been overlooked so far since both typically yield the same product. We investigated the platinum-catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol to 4-aminothiophenol in aqueous sodium borohydride solution as a prominent model reaction, by using label-free SERS monitoring in a microfluidic reactor. Kinetic analysis revealed a strong pH dependence. Surprisingly, only at pH>13 the reduction is driven exclusively by sodium borohydride. This study demonstrates the potential of microfluidics-based kinetic SERS monitoring of heterogeneous catalysis in colloidal suspension.

Inverse relation between the catalytic activity and catalyst concentration for the ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on xonotlite nanowire in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on xonotlite nanowire (Ru(0)/X-NW) were prepared by the ion exchange of Ru3+ ions with Ca2+ ions in the lattice of xonotlite nanowire followed by their reduction with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution at room temperature. Ru(0)/X-NW show high catalytic activity and long life time in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride with a turnover frequency value up to 305min−1 and a total turnover number of 63,100mol H2/mol Ru in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride at 25.0±0.1°C. Moreover, the catalytic activity of Ru(0)/X-NW shows an inverse dependence on the catalyst concentration. Ru(0)/X-NW at different ruthenium concentrations were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that Ru(0)/X-NW have tunable particle size depending on the metal concentration. An increase in the mean particle size of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles is observed when the metal concentration increases. The smaller particle size distribution at low ruthenium concentrations exhibits higher catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The reaction kinetics of the catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride was also studied.

The Effect of pH on the Reduction of Graphene Oxide in Regards to the Structure and ORR Capabilities in Alkaline Media

The hydrothermal reduction of many compounds including graphene oxide usually takes place in a basic aqueous environment when using many reducing agents. In this study, graphene oxide was reduced by sodium borohydride in aqueous solutions among a wide spectrum of pH values ranging from 1 to 13. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the reduction of the graphene oxide at each respective pH value. With increasing pH values, Raman and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of the resultant graphenes showed an increase in the repair in the carbon sp2 lattice while XRD showed a larger overall particle size. Electrochemical testing in basic media showed higher oxygen reduction capabilities in the catalysts that were reduced at higher pH values. The onset potential of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as well as the electron transfer number also increased as the pH of the solution increased overall. The graphene oxide catalyst reduced at pH 1, however, showed superior limiting current densities in the linear sweep voltammetries even though the onset potential was the lowest. This increased ORR activity is most likely due to the better repaired graphitic domain of the catalysts reduced at higher pH values even though the overall particle size is bigger.

The formation and catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles in aqueous polyacrylate solutions

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized in the presence of polyacrylate through the reduction of silver nitrate by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. The AgNO3 and polyacrylate carboxylate group concentrations were kept constant at 2.0 × 10–4 and 1.0 × 10–2 mol·L–1, respectively, while the ratio of [NaBH4]/[AgNO3] was varied from 1 to 100. The ultraviolet-visible plasmon resonance spectra of these solutions were found to vary with time prior to stabilizing after 27 d, consistent with changes of AgNP size and distribution within the polyacrylate ensemble occurring. These observations, together with transmission electron microscopic results, show this rearrangement to be greatest among the samples at the lower ratios of [NaBH4]/[AgNO3] used in the preparation, whereas those at the higher ratios showed a more even distribution of smaller AgNP. All ten of the AgNP samples, upon a one thousand-fold dilution, catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the temperature range 283.2–303.2 K with a substantial induction time being observed at the lower temperatures.

Ceria supported rhodium nanoparticles: Superb catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane

We investigated the effect of various oxide supports on the catalytic activity of rhodium nanoparticles in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane. Among the oxide supports (CeO2, SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2) ceria provides the highest catalytic activity for the rhodium(0) nanoparticles in the hydrolysis of ammonia borane. Rhodium(0) nanoparticles supported on nanoceria (Rh0/CeO2) were prepared by the impregnation of rhodium(III) ions on the surface of ceria followed by their reduction with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution at room temperature. They were isolated from the reaction solution by centrifugation and characterized by a combination of advanced analytical techniques. The catalytic activity of Rh0/CeO2 samples with various rhodium loading in the range of 0.1–4.0% wt. Rh was also tested in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at room temperature. The highest catalytic activity was achieved by using 0.1% wt. rhodium loaded nanoceria. The resulting Rh0/CeO2 with a metal loading of 0.1% wt. Rh show superb catalytic activity in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane with a record turnover frequency value (TOF) of 2010min−1 at 25.0±0.1°C. The superb catalytic activity of Rh0/CeO2 is ascribed to the reducible nature of ceria. The reduction of cerium(IV) to cerium(III) leads to a build-up of negative charge on the oxide surface which favors the bonding of rhodium(0) nanoparticles on the surface and, thus, their catalytic activity. Rh0/CeO2 are also reusable catalysts preserving 67% of their initial catalytic activity even after the fifth use in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at room temperature (TOF=1350min−1. The work reported here also includes the kinetic studies depending on the temperature to determine the activation energy (Ea=43±2kJ/mol) and the effect of catalyst concentration on the rate of hydrolysis of ammonia borane.

Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on ceria: Highly active and reusable catalyst in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane

Palladium(0) nanoparticles supported on nanoceria (Pd0/CeO2) were prepared by the impregnation of palladium(II) ions on the surface of ceria followed by their reduction with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution at room temperature. Pd0/CeO2 were isolated from the reaction solution by centrifugation and characterized by ICP-OES, XRD, TEM, SEM-EDS and XPS techniques. All the results reveal that palladium(0) nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on ceria and the resulting Pd0/CeO2 are highly active and reusable catalysts in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane with a turnover frequency value of 29 min−1 at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. The catalytic activity of Pd0/CeO2 in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane is higher compared to that of other palladium based catalysts such as Pd0/ZrO2, Pd0/SiO2, Pd0/Al2O3, Pd0/TiO2 under the same conditions. The catalytic activity of Pd0/CeO2 samples with various palladium loading in the range of 1.0–5.0% wt Pd was tested in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C. The highest catalytic activity was achieved by using 1.18% wt palladium loaded ceria. The reusability tests reveal that Pd0/CeO2 are still active in the subsequent runs of hydrolysis of ammonia borane preserving 47% of the initial catalytic activity even after the fifth run of hydrolysis. Our report also includes the results of kinetic study of the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane depending on the temperature and catalyst concentration.

Facile synthesis of PS/RGO@AuNP composite particles as highly active and reusable catalyst for catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol

Herein, we successfully fabricate a ternary composite particle of polystyrene/reduced graphene oxide@gold nanoparticle (PS/RGO@AuNP) by hydrophobic interaction-driven self-assembly combined with a one-step reduction process, without involving any surface pretreatments of support microspheres in the whole process. The as-prepared PS/RGO@AuNP composite particles have been extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that these ternary raspberry-like composite particles have uniform size and controllable surface morphology. In addition, the PS/RGO@AuNP composite particles have good dispersibility in water and, moreover, exhibit high catalytic activity and excellent reusability during the reduction of p-nitrophenol by sodium borohydride in aqueous solution.

Enhanced dechlorination of m-DCB using iron@graphite/palladium (Fe@C/Pd) nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

In this work, the zero valent Fe (ZVI) and graphite-encapsulated Fe (Fe@C) nanoparticles (NPs) were easily and selectively prepared by a pulsed laser ablation (PLA) method in an aqueous sodium borohydride solution and ascorbic acid dissolved in methanol, respectively. Here, the Fe@C NPs were uniquely synthesized by PLA in methanol, where the solvent is used as both a carbon source for the graphitic layers and solvent, which is very unique. Furthermore, Pd NPs were loaded onto the surface of the Fe@C NPs to prepare bimetallic (Fe@C/Pd) NPs for the enhancement of the degradation efficiency of m-dichlorobenzene (m-DCB). The morphology, crystallinity, and surface composition of the prepared NPs were carefully characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The degradation rate of m-DCB using single (Fe and Pd) or bimetallic (Fe/Pd and Fe@C/Pd) NPs were compared by using gas chromatography. Among these NPs produced in this work, the Fe@C/Pd NPs with 1.71 wt % of Pd showed an excellent dechlorination efficiency for m-DCB with 100% degradation within 75 min. The graphitic layer on the Fe NPs played as not only an oxidation resistant for the Fe NPs to surroundings, but also a supporter of the Pd NPs for the enhanced degradation efficiency of m-DCB.

Deposition of Pt Nanoparticles on Ni Foam Via Galvanic Displacement

In the present study the Ni foam was modified with Pt nanoparticles via the galvanic displacement technique. A thin electroless Ni sublayer was deposited on the Ni foam substrate. Then, Pt nanoparticles were deposited on Ni/Nifoam by its immersion into a platinum(IV)-containing solution for various time periods. The morphology, structure and composition of the prepared catalysts were examined by means of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of Pt(Ni)/Nifoam with different Pt loadings was determined by measuring the amount of hydrogen generated directly from aqueous alkaline solutions of sodium borohydride and compared with that of Pt. The data on hydrogen generation volume with respect to time at different concentrations of sodium borohydride and different temperatures have been presented. It was found that the Pt(Ni)/Nifoam catalysts show enhanced catalytic activity towards hydrogen generation as compared to that of Ni/Nifoam. Acknowledgment This research was funded by a Grant (No. TEC-06/2015) from the Research Council of Lithuania.

Electro-catalysis of carbon black or titanium sub-oxide supported Pd–Gd towards formic acid electro-oxidation

Carbon black supported Pd–Gd catalysts (Pd–xGd/C, x is weight percent in catalyst) with different amounts of Gd were prepared by a simultaneous reduction reaction with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution.