Highly active nanoporous Co-B-TiO2 framework for hydrolysis of NaBH4

In this study, a nanoporous Co-B-TiO2 framework was prepared by in-situ chemical reduction under sonication. After the introduction of nano-TiO2 particles to a Co-B alloy, the specific surface area of the composite was substantially improved from 47.2 to 89.6 m(2)/g. The morphology was also changed from aggregated nanoparticles to a nanoporous framework. Furthermore, the catalytic activity was significantly enhanced for the hydrolysis of NaBH4. A high rate of hydrogen generation was found at 1980 mLmin(-1) g(-1) at 30 degrees C in a5 wt% NaOH+ 1.5 wt% NaBE4 solution, and the rate was much faster than those obtained with undoped Co-B catalysts. The activation energy of the hydrolysis was 30.93 kJ/mol, which is comparable to that of noble metal-based catalysts. The stability of the fabricated composite catalyst was also explored. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.