Complete Hydrogen Production from Hydrazine Borane over Raney Ni Catalyst at Room Temperature

• Published in: Energy technology (Weinheim, Germany) Germany), 2019-03, Vol.7 (3), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shiliang, Yao, Qilu, Li, Qingyang, Feng, Gang, Lu, Zhang-Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Design for recycling; Hydrazine borane; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogen storage materials; Hydrogen-based energy; Leaching; Metals; Nickel; Nickel base alloys; noble-metal‐free catalysts; Organic chemistry; Porous metals; Raney Ni; Rapid quenching (metallurgy); Room temperature
• ISSN: 2194-4288; 2194-4296
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.201800533

The synthesis of noble‐metal‐free recyclable catalysts with prominent catalytic performance for the complete hydrogen production from hydrazine borane (N2H4BH3, HB) is of great significance in achieving a hydrogen economy‐based society. Herein, Raney Ni is synthesized using a rapidly quenched aluminum–nickel alloy under a typical alkali leaching condition and is used to catalytically convert hydrogen of N2H4BH3 to H2 via hydrolyzing BH3 groups and decomposing the N2H4 moiety in alkaline conditions. It is the first report of a noble‐metal‐free catalyst achieving a complete production of hydrogen from N2H4BH3 at room temperature. This noble‐metal‐free catalyst might tremendously broaden the actual utilization of HB as a promising chemical hydrogen storage material. In addition, such a simple strategy can also be expanded to design and synthesize other porous metals for more applications. Raney Ni is facilely synthesized and used as a noble‐metal‐free recyclable catalyst for hydrogen production from N2H4BH3. The complete conversion of hydrogen of N2H4BH3 to H2 can be achieved by Raney Ni at room temperature, with a turnover frequency value of 892 h−1. Raney Ni also exhibits perfect magnetic properties and can be easily collected and reused.