Magnetic sensitive Hericium erinaceus residue chitin/Cu hydrogel nanocomposites for H2 generation by catalyzing NaBH4 hydrolysis

In this study, a novel magnetic Hericium erinaceus residue chitin hydrogel was prepared and applied as template for in-situ synthesis of Cu nanoparticles, the prepared magnetic chitin/Cu hydrogel nanocomposites were further utilized as catalyst for H2 generation from NaBH4 hydrolysis. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by ATR-FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, TGA and VSM, respectively. The effects of precursor Cu2 concentration, reaction temperature, catalyst dose and NaBH4 concentration on the catalytic property were also studied. Results showed that Cu nanoparticles with average diameter of 211.6 31.9 nm were synthesized. Moreover, higher catalytic activity could be obtained at higher precursor Cu2 concentration, reaction temperature, catalyst dose and NaBH4 concentration. The conversion rate could be improved by increasing NaBH4 concentration. Based on the kinetics analysis of NaBH4 hydrolysis at different temperatures, Ea was calculated to be 23.21 kJ/mol. After five repeated uses, the prepared catalyst could still remain 87% of initial catalytic activity.