ZnO-based nanocomposites for hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of Borohydride

Hydrogen storage and release using a solid-state material e.g., sodium borohydride (NaBH4) may fulfill the requirements for the 'Hydrogen Economy'. This study reported ZnO-based materials for hydrogen release via the hydrolysis of NaBH4. Two different metal oxides e.g. CeO2 and TiO2 with different weight loading (5 wt.% and 10 wt.%) were used during the synthesis via a simple combustion method. The synthesis procedure offered nanocomposites consisting of ZnO-xTiO(2), and ZnO-xCeO(2) (x = 5 wt.% or 10 wt.%). Diffraction techniques (X-ray (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED)) confirm the phase purity of the material. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy characterized the optical properties of the materials. The materials displayed a hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 3000 mL center dot min(-1)center dot g(cat)(-1). Thermodynamic analysis revealed that ZnO, ZnO-10TiO(2), and ZnO-10CeO(2) catalysts have activation energies of 59.8, 36.8, and 27.5 kJ center dot mol(-1), respectively. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

The use of solid-state materials such as sodium borohydride for hydrogen storage and release can meet the requirements of the "Hydrogen Economy". This study investigated ZnO-based materials as catalysts for hydrogen release through the hydrolysis of NaBH4. The synthesis method produced nanocomposites consisting of ZnO-xTiO(2) and ZnO-xCeO(2) (x = 5 wt.% or 10 wt.%). Characterization techniques confirmed the phase purity and optical properties of the materials. The materials exhibited a high hydrogen generation rate and different activation energies.