Synthesis of Fe-Fe2B catalysts via solvothermal route for hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of NaBH4

Abstract

In this study, iron sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO_4.7H₂O) and sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) were used to synthesize Fe-Fe₂B nanocrystals via the solvothermal route. Synthesis of Fe-Fe₂B nanocrystals was carried out under Argon (Ar) gas atmosphere with aqueous solutions of FeSO₄.7H₂O and NaBH₄ at various concentrations and reaction time. The phases and microstructures of nanocrystals thus formed were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface areas of nanocrystals were measured by a surface area and pore-size analyzer using nitrogen adsorption-desorption method together with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation. The vacuum dried nanoparticles were calcined under both Ar and air at 500 ºC. Nano-cylindrical structures Fe-Fe₂B were observed while calcinating under Ar atmosphere; whereas more irregular shaped particles were obtained by calcination under air. The surface areas of nanocylinders were determined as 12 m²/g, 5.5 m²/g and 16.5 m²/g, for vacuum dried, Ar-calcined and O₂-calcined products respectively. The catalytic effect of those nanocrystals for hydrogen generation were studied by determining reaction rates in aqueous alkaline solutions of NaBH₄. Their catalytic activities were investigated by varying the amount of catalysts, and the concentrations of NaBH₄ and NaOH. The effect of temperature on the catalytic activity was also studied by varying the temperatures from 25-70 °C. It was noticed that the catalytic activity of vacuum dried nanocrystals was the highest, and it decreased with the increase in NaOH concentration. With 0.01 g of Fe-Fe₂B catalyst in 1 % w/w NaBH₄ concentration at 25 °C, the hydrogen production rate was 570 mL of H₂.g^-1.m^-1, which reached to 1230 at 50 °C and 2700 mL at 70 °C. 

Keywords

• Fe2B,nanocrystal,solvothermal method,hydrogen production

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