Superior catalytic activity of Co-B/Co3O4 catalyst for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride

Hydrogen is an important energy carrier. For this reason, studies on hydrogen production and storage are increasing day by day. This study synthesized an effective Co-B/Co3O4 catalyst for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride. The effect of the calcination temperature of Co3O4 used as support material on the hydrogen generation rate was investigated. In this context, four different calcination temperatures were tested at 300, 400, 500 and 600 degrees C. It was observed that the highest hydrogen generation rate was obtained from the support material calcined at 500 degrees C. The obtained Co-B/Co3O4 catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity and the hydrogen generation rate was calculated as 10,336 ml min-1 g cat -1 at 25 degrees C. Additionally, the effects of different solution temperatures on the hydrogen generation rate were investigated. The hydrogen generation rate was 25,840 ml min-1 g cat -1 when the solution temperature was 55 degrees C. In reusability experiments, it was observed the preservation rate of the catalyst remained at 71% of its initial catalytic activity after 5 cycles.