Preparation of pompon-like Co-B nanoalloy by a room-temperature solid-state-reaction as a catalyst for hydrolysis of borohydride solution

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-03, Vol.42 (10), p.6646-6656
• Main Authors: Wang, Xingpu, Liao, Jinyun, Li, Hao, Wang, Hui, Wang, Rongfang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co-B nanoalloy; Hydrogen production; Nanosheets; Sodium borohydride
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.12.032

Pompon-like Co-B alloy composed of nanosheets with a large specific surface area of 202.4 m2 g−1 was synthesized via a facile room-temperature solid-state-reaction. By changing the mass ratios of CoCl2·6H2O to CO(NH2)2 in the synthesis, the morphology of the Co-B alloy can be controlled. Correspondingly, the specific surface area can increase from ca. 43.4–202.4 m2 g−1. When the pompon-like Co-B severs as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of NaBH4, the hydrogen generation rate can be up to 8.26Lhydrogenmin−1gcatalyst−1. This value is larger compared with those of many other Co-B nanoalloys in previous reports. Additionally, the corresponding activated energy for the hydrolytic reaction is as low as 25 kJ mol−1, hinting that the pompon-like Co-B catalyst possesses superior catalytic performance. The pompon-like Co-B alloy has the advantages of low cost, good recoverability, as well as high activity, which may find practical application in NaBH4 hydrolysis for hydrogen production. [Display omitted] •Pompon-like Co-B composed of nanosheets was prepared via a solid-state-reaction.•The specific surface area of the pompon-like Co-B alloy can reach 202.4 m2 g−1.•HGR in NaBH4 hydrolysis catalyzed by pompon-like Co-B is 8.26LH2min−1gcatalyst−1.•The apparent activated energy of catalytic hydrolysis is as low as 24.76 kJ mol−1.