Ultrafine cobalt nanoparticles supported on carbon nanospheres for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride
2020
Zhang, Hongming | Xu, Guochang | Zhang, Lu | Wang, Wenfeng | Miao, Wenkang | Chen, Kangli | Cheng, Lina | Li, Yuan | Han, Shumin
Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is an ideal chemical carrier of hydrogen due to its high hydrogen release capacity via hydrolysis, however the reaction is restricted by a competent catalyst. Herein, we present an efficient catalyst – ultrafine non-noble Co nanoparticles supported on carbon nanospheres (CNSs) (CNSs@Co), for hydrogen generation from NaBH₄ hydrolysis in alkaline media. The ultrafine Co nanoparticles distribute evenly over the surface of the CNSs by adjusting solubility of a by-product – NaBO₂ within ethanol. The as-prepared CNSs@Co catalyst has a glorious catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution of NaBH₄. It shows a high hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 7447 mLH2.min−1⋅gM−1 at 30 °C, and a low activation energy of 40.79 kJ mol⁻¹. Besides, the catalyst exhibits a stable cycling capability in a consecutive cycling test. The outstanding catalytic performance of the CNSs@Co catalyst could attribute to the ultrafine size of the Co nanoparticles (∼7 nm) and its uniform dispersion supported by the CNSs. We believe the catalyst together with its synthetic method will provide a probable strategy to promote the hydrogen generation from NaBH₄.
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