A Novel and Highly Active Co‐Cr@Perlite/GO Catalyst for Sustainable Hydrogen Production via Potassium Borohydride Hydrolysis
Selma Ekıncı, Erhan Onat
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study focuses on evaluating the parameters of hydrogen production through the potassium borohydride (PBH) hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by a newly developed supported catalyst. Perlite was expanded at 900°C, treated with acid, and then coated with graphene oxide through a reflux process, serving as the support material. Cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) metal atoms were subsequently loaded onto the Perlite/GO support via impregnation, resulting in a bimetallic‐supported catalyst (Co‐Cr@Perlite/GO). The materials were thoroughly characterized using advanced analytical techniques. After determining the key variables for hydrogen production from PBH hydrolysis, the reaction kinetics were investigated. Under optimal conditions (10% KOH concentration, 40 mg catalyst containing 4 mg metal, 2% KBH 4 concentration) at 303 K, the hydrogen production rate from PBH hydrolysis using the synthesized catalyst was measured as 21.012 mL g −1 min −1 . Additionally, the reaction followed a zero‐order rate equation, with an activation energy of 42.76 kJ mol −1 and a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1221.6 s −1 . Even after 5 cycles of catalyst reuse, 100% hydrogen production efficiency was maintained.