Performance of g-C3N4 nanoparticles by EDTA modification and protonation for hydrogen release from sodium borohydride methanolysis

Here, for the first time, a metal-free catalyst was synthesized by ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) modification of the carbon nitride (g-C3N4) sample and protonation of the obtained sample. The catalyst was used for the production of H-2 from the methanolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The EDTA modification and protonation of the g-C3N4 sample was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and TEM analyses. During the hydrogen generation, NaBH4 concentration effect, catalyst amount effect, temperature effect and catalyst reusability were investigated. The HGR value obtained with 2.5% NaBH4 using 10 mg catalyst was 7571 mL min(-1)g(-1). The activation energy (Ea) for the g-C3N4-EDTA-H catalyst was found to be 32.2 kJ mol(-1) The reusability of the g-C3N4-EDTA-H catalyst shows a catalytic performance of 72% even after its fifth use.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.