Effect of microwave irritated Co-B-Cr catalyst on the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Abstract

In this work, Co-B-Cr catalysts were synthesized from CoCl2.6H(2)O and Cr(NO3)(2) 9H(2)O compounds by using NaBH4 as chemical reducing agent at temperature range of 5-8 degrees C. The microwave irradiation method utilized depends on different gas medium (N-2, Ar, CO2), microwave power (0-1,000 W), and microwave applying time (0-20 min) to increase the catalytic activity of Co-B-Cr catalysis used in the hydrolysis of NaBH4. It was found that the Co-B-Cr catalyst with best catalytic activity for NaBH4 hydrolysis was produced under microwave conditions of N-2 gases for 15 min treatment time and 500 W applying power. Hydrolysis of NaBH4 is completed in 500 s by using Co-B-Cr catalysis treatment optimum irradiation microwave conditions and it is completed in 1,200 s in the case of non-microwave treatment of Co-B-Cr catalyst. The effect of microwave irradiation on Co-B-Cr surface was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy analysis.