Al2O3 SUPPORTED Co-Cu-B (Co-Cu-B/Al2O3) CATALYST FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION BY HYDROLYSIS OF AQUEOUS SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE (NaBH4) SOLUTIONS

Abstract

In this study, Al2O3 supported Co-Cu-B (Co-Cu-B/Al2O3) catalyst was synthesized by chemical impregnation and precipitation method to be used for catalytic hydrogen generation from NaBH4. Co-Cu-B/Al2O3 catalyst was synthesized at various ratios using Co-Cu-B/Al2O3 (5-20%). The effect of some parameters such as NaOH concentration (0-7%), NaBH4 concentration (2.5-7.5%), catalyst amount (25-150 mg) and solution ambient temperature was investigated on the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4 . The hydrogen generation rate was found as 2519 and 8962 mL*g(-1)*min(-1) for Co-Cu-B and Co-CuB/Al2O3 catalysts in NaBH4 hydrolysis, respectively. The order rate kinetics and activation energy for Co-Cu-B/Al2O3 catalyst were determined as 0.125 and 27 kJ*mol(-1), respectively. The obtained results suggest that Co-Cu-B/Al2O3 catalysts can be used for mobile applications of PEMFC systems.