High-Efficiency and Fast Hydrogen Production from Sodium Borohydride: The Role of Adipic Acid in Hydrolysis, Methanolysis and Ethanolysis Reactions

In this study, hydrogen production through the hydrolysis, ethanolysis, and methanolysis reactions of NaBH4 using adipic acid as a catalyst was investigated for the first time. Adipic acid solutions were prepared with methanol and ethanol at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 M. In these reactions, NaBH4-MR (methanolysis) and NaBH4-ER (ethanolysis) reactions were carried out at 30, 40, and 50 degrees C with NaBH4 concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5%. Hydrolysis reactions (NaBH4-HR) were conducted at 0.1 M under the same conditions. In the ethanolysis and methanolysis reactions at 30 degrees C, total hydrogen conversion was achieved at 0.3 M, 0.4 M, and 0.5 M. However, in the hydrolysis reactions, total hydrogen production was only obtained at 50 degrees C. It was observed that in the NaBH4-MR and NaBH4-ER reactions, total hydrogen conversion could be achieved within 4-5 s. The utilization of adipic acid as a catalyst for hydrogen production from NaBH4 through ethanolysis and methanolysis reactions is proposed as a highly efficient and fast method, characterized by impressive conversion rates.