NiB loaded acetic acid treated microalgae strain (Spirulina Platensis) to use as a catalyst for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride methanolysis

Abstract

In this study, a Spirulina Platensis microalgal strain as an alternative support material is prepared. It is the first time investigated the use of microalgae as support material with Ni2+ ions to produce a highly efficient catalyst. Nickel-boron loaded acetic acid treated microalgae strain (SSMS-CH3COOH-NiB) is prepared with a chemical reduction method to use as a catalyst for the hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride (NaBH4) methanolysis. The catalytic performance for hydrogen production is tested at the temperature of 30 degrees C. The maximum hydrogen production rate obtained from the reaction of SSMS-CH3COOH-NiB (30wt %) was found as 3407 ml/min/g(cat). The completion time of the methanolysis reaction was 7 minutes. The activation energy was found to be 28.8 kJ/mol. The results provide that microalgae can be used as support material with low cost, more environmentally friendly and sustainability.