Bimetallic Co–Ni based complex catalyst for hydrogen production by catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride with an alternative approach

• Published in: Journal of the Energy Institute 2016-11, Vol.89 (4), p.617-626
• Main Authors: Şahin, Ömer, Kılınç, Dilek, Saka, Cafer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cobalt–Nickel complex catalysts; Hydrogen generation; Sodium borohydride hydrolysis
• ISSN: 1743-9671
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joei.2015.05.007

Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier and is expected to be one of the main energy sources in the 21st century. The basic aim of this study is to develop a feasible new catalyst system for the hydrogen generation by catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4. The method is an alternative approach for the hydrogen production with metal catalysts. Ni–Co bimetallic complex catalysts with different Co–Ni contents were derived from 4-4′-methylene bis (2,6-diethyl)aniline-3,5-di-tert-butylsalisilaldimin ligand and their catalytic performances were investigated with hydrogen generation by catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4. Experimental results showed that the Co–Ni contained catalysts exhibited much higher activity than the monometallic complex catalyst. The optimal mixture percentage of Co–Ni complex catalyst was 80:20. It was found that a combination of 2.5 wt% NaBH4 solution concentration and 5 wt% NaOH yields the highest performance for the hydrogen generation. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR and SEM techniques. [Display omitted] •Co–Ni supported salicylaldimine derivatives complex catalysts were prepared.•The catalysts were tested for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4.•Co–Ni ratio, NaBH4, NaOH, temperature and catalyst amount effects investigated.•The optimal mixture percentage of Co–Ni catalyst was 80:20.•These catalysts were characterized via XRD, FT-IR and SEM techniques.