Zirconia supported bimetallic Co-Mn-B catalyst with superior catalytic activity for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Abstract

This paper presents a highly efficient, reusable and cost-effective ZrO2 supported Co-Mn-B catalyst for hydrogen production from sodium borohydride. Commercial metal oxide support materials (SiO2, TiO2, CeO2 and ZrO2) were evaluated and ZrO2 was found to provide the most favorable interaction with Co-Mn-B catalyst. Key parameters affecting the hydrogen generation rate (HGR), including the cobalt and manganese content of the catalyst and the concentrations of NaOH and NaBH4 in the reaction, were optimized. The maximum HGR of the Co-Mn-B/ZrO2 catalyst was determined to be 10.40 +/- 0.8 L/min.g(metal) at 30 degrees C with an apparent activation energy of 43.68 kJ/mol. The catalytic activity was more than doubled compared to the Co-B catalyst, and the NaBH4 utilization efficiency increased from 89.0% to 96.2%. Additionally, the catalyst successfully retained 73% of its catalytic activity after five cycles. The Co-Mn-B/ZrO2 catalyst, exhibiting a nanoflower surface morphology, demonstrated significant improvements in catalytic activity, reusability, and NaBH4 utilization efficiency by preventing the agglomeration and deactivation of cobalt catalysts.