Corn stalk activated carbon based Co catalyst prepared by one-step method for hydrogen generation

One-step method for catalyst preparation was adopted in this investigation. After crushing and screening of corn stalk, the cobalt nitrate solution was impregnated into corn stalk to obtain a Co-biomass precursor, the catalyst for hydrogen generation was made by carbonization and activation in a fluidized bed. The effects of preparation parameters, the reaction temperature and the number of cycles on hydrogen generating performance of these Co catalysts were investigated. It demonstrated that the optimal carbonization temperature and time were 400 degrees C and 1 h, and the optimal activation temperature and time were 800 degrees C and 2 h. Under these conditions, the maximum rate of hydrogen generation was 2952 mL.min(-1).g(-1). Activation energy of hydrogen generation using such catalysts was estimated to be 40.2 kJ.mol(-1). After 11 cycles, the catalysts remained 51% initial activity. Using one-step preparation of catalysts showed good catalytic activity, which is beneficial to industrial applications in the future.