Synthesis of CaCO[sub.3]/Cu[sub.2]O/GO Nanocomposite Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from NaBH[sub.4] Methanolysis

• Published in: Catalysts 2023-06, Vol.13 (6)
• Main Authors: Alshammari, Majed, Alhassan, Sultan, Alshammari, Khulaif, Alotaibi, Turki, Taha, Taha Abdel Mohaymen, Alshammari, Alhulw H, Ismael, Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Electrolysis; Hydrogen; Scientific equipment and supplies industry
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal13061010

The synthesis of CaCO[sub.3]/Cu[sub.2]O/GO nanocomposites was developed by sol-gel auto-combustion method. The analysis of structure was completed on X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The XRD spectra of the nanocomposites matched the crystal structure of CaCO[sub.3]/Cu[sub.2]O. The average crystal size was 20 nm for Cu[sub.2]O and 25 nm for CaCO[sub.3] nanoparticles. FTIR data showed the absorption bands of Cu[sub.2]O and GO. Raman spectroscopy data confirmed the formation of GO sheets. ESEM micrographs displayed spherical nanoparticles dispersed in GO sheets. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the peaks of Cu 2p, O 1s, C 1s, Cu 3s, and Ca 2p. The spectra of optical absorption revealed an absorption band of around 450 nm. The calcium content increase led to a decrease in the optical energy gap from 2.14 to 1.5 eV. The production of hydrogen from NaBH[sub.4] across the methanolysis reaction was accelerated by the CaCO[sub.3]/Cu[sub.2]O/GO nanocomposites. Therefore, these nanocomposites are superior in catalytic hydrogen production systems.