Highly efficient CoB catalyst using a support material based on Spirulina microalgal strain treated with ZnCl2 for hydrogen generation via sodium borohydride methanolysis

Abstract

In the study, a different support material based on ZnCl2-treated Spirulina microalgal strain (SSMS-ZnCl2) was prepared. Then, the SSMS-ZnCl2-CoB catalysts were used as a very efficient catalyst to produce hydrogen via the SB methanolysis. The SB concentration, Co metal percentage in the supported-catalyst, ZnCl2 concentration, ZnCl2 impregnation time, temperature, and reusability experiments were performed. The maximum hydrogen generation rates (HGR) for the SSMS-ZnCl2-CoB at 30 degrees C and 60 degrees C were found to be 9266 and 36 366 mL min(-1) g(cat)(-1), respectively. In addition, TOF values for 30 degrees C and 60 degrees C were calculated 33 and 110 L center dot mol(H2)center dot mol(Co)(-1)center dot min(-1) for the methanolysis of SB with SSMS-ZnCl2-CoB catalyst. The activation energy was 31.13 kJ mol(-1). The reusability experiments were repeated five times under the same conditions. The almost 100% conversion was obtained at each use. XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM-EDX, and ICP-MS analysis were performed for SSMS-ZnCl2-CoB characterization.