Evaluation of a cobalt-molybdenum-boron catalyst for hydrogen generation of alkaline sodium borohydride solution-aluminum powder system

Abstract

Catalyst study is a central issue in the development of sodium borohydride (NaBH4)-based hydrogen generation systems. Here, we report the preparation, characterization and utilization of a novel cobalt emolybdenumeboron (CoeMoeB) catalyst. Our study found that the CoeMoeB catalyst prepared by chemical reduction method using an ethylene glycol solution of cobalt chloride exhibits remarkably higher catalytic activity than the CoeB and CoeMoeB catalysts prepared in aqueous solution. On the basis of the phase, microstructure and elemental chemical state analyses, the mechanistic reasons for the improved performance of the newly prepared CoeMoeB catalyst were discussed. Our study demonstrated that the combined usage of concentrated NaBH4 solution, CoeMoeB catalyst and a small amount of Al powder constitutes a high-performance hydrogen generation system, which can yield >6 wt% hydrogen with fast kinetics and high fuel conversion.