Cobalt-nickel-phosphorus supported on Pd-activated TiO2 (Co-Ni-P/Pd-TiO2) as cost-effective and reusable catalyst for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution

Catalytically active, low-cost, and reusable transition metal catalysts are desired to develop on-demand hydrogen generation system for practical onboard applications. Electrolessly deposited Pd-activated TiO2-supported Co-Ni-P ternary alloy catalyst (Co-Ni-P/Pd-TiO2) is employed as catalyst in the hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution. The catalyst is found to be isolable, redispersible, and reusable in the hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH4. The reported work also includes the full experimental details for the collection of a wealth of kinetic data to determine the activation energy (E-a = 57.0 kJ/mol) and effects of the amount of catalyst, amount of substrate, and temperature on the rate for the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4. Maximum H-2 generation rate of similar to 460mLH(2) min(-1) (g catalyst)(-1) and similar to 3780mLH(2) min(-1) (g catalyst)(-1) was measured by the hydrolysis of NaBH4 at 25 degrees C and 55 degrees C respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.