Sonochemical Approach to Synthesis of Co-B Catalysts and Hydrolysis of Alkaline NaBH4Solutions

Abstract

Co-B catalysts are promising candidates for hydrogen evolution via hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) solutions. In the present paper, a sonochemical approach was investigated for synthesis of Co-B catalysts and hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH 4 solutions. Sonochemical application on synthesizing process improved the intrinsic and extrinsic properties of Co-B catalysts such as crystal, spectral, surface area, pore volume, pore diameter, and particle size. Co-B catalysts prepared by sonochemical approach possessed smaller particle size, higher surface area, and higher pore volume than the Co-B catalysts prepared by coprecipitation synthesis. The effects of sonochemical process on hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH 4 solutions were investigated by Arrhenius theory. It was clearly demonstrated that the advantages of alkaline NaBH 4 solution sonohydrolysis provide superficial effects on hydrogen evolution kinetic as maximum H 2 generation rate (HGR) and minimum activation energy (Ea).