Preparation of rod-shaped nanoflower Co-Ru-B/SiCN catalyst and its catalytic performance for hydrogen production by hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Abstract

In recent years, hydrogen production via sodium borohydride hydrolysis has gained considerable attention. However, this method faces challenges of low efficiency and high cost. We have developed a simple and economical method combining electrostatic spinning and high temperature calcination for the preparation of well-dispersed Co-Ru-B nanoparticles loaded on silicon nitride (SiCN) carriers. The successful synthesis of rod-shaped nanoflower Co-Ru-B/SiCN catalysts with high stability and large specific surface area was confirmed by characterization techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller adsorption analysis. The Co-Ru-B/SiCN catalyst exhibited exceptional catalytic performance for NaBH 4 hydrolysis at room temperature. Notably, the hydrogen production rate reached 3716.4 mL·min −1 ·g −1 , while the activation energy was just 32.67 kJ·mol −1 . This rate significantly surpasses that achieved with a pure CoB catalyst. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates remarkable stability, retaining 76.4 % of its initial activity even after seven cycles of catalytic NaBH 4 hydrolysis. The results demonstrate that Co-Ru-B/SiCN exhibits superior catalytic performance for NaBH 4 hydrolysis. With its high activity, low activation energy, and excellent economic viability, this catalyst holds great promise for practical applications in NaBH 4 hydrolysis. • SiCN carriers were prepared using the electrostatic spinning method. • Rod-shaped nanoflower Co-Ru-B/SiCN catalysts were prepared using an in-situ reduction method. • The activation energy of Co-Ru-B/SiCN at 25 °C is 32.67 kJ·mol −1 . • The hydrogen release rate from Co-Ru-B/SiCN is 3716.4 mL·min −1 ·g −1 .

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