Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis

Esra Özer Şeker; Tuba Erşen Dudu; Duygu Alpaslan

doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1672076

Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis

Abstract

This study synthesized environmentally friendly, boric acid-based, metal-free polymeric catalysts via redox polymerization in an emulsion medium without a surfactant. Their hydrogen (H2) production performance from sodium borohydride (NaBH4) hydrolysis was evaluated for the first time. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the structural and physicochemical properties of the p(BoA) polymeric catalysts. FT-IR analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of cross-linked p(BoA) particles through peak shifts, the appearance of new spectra, and intensity changes. SEM images showed that p(BoA) particles possess irregular spherical morphologies with surfaces comprising porous and fractured layers. The effects of various parameters—including reaction temperature, catalyst quantity, and NaBH4 concentration on H₂ generation were systematically investigated. The NaBH4 hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by the boric acid-based particles was found to follow first-order kinetics. The highest hydrogen production rate (HGR) was observed at 50°C, with rates calculated for different quantities of p(BoA) particles: 24.27 mL H2 gcatalys-1 dak-1 for 0.1g, 15.15 mL H2 gcatalys-1 dak-1 for 0.3g, and 16.67 mL H2 gcatalys-1 dak-1 for 0.5g. These findings suggest that boric acid-based, metal-free polymeric catalysts offer significant potential for sustainable hydrogen production.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University BAP

Project Number

FYL-2020-9274

Thanks

This work is supported by the Van Yuzuncu Yıl University BAP with grant # FYL-2020-9274.

References

Alpaslan, D., Ersen Dudu, T., & Aktas, N. (2022a). Non-Metal polymeric bioparticles based on maleic acid/citric acid as a catalyst for H2 generation from NaBH4. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 30(9), 3656-3664. DOI: 10.1007/s10924-022-02461-x
Alpaslan, D., Ersen Dudu, T., & Aktas, N. (2022b). Synthesis of poly(ginger oil) organo particles as a metal free catalysis and their use in hydrogen production from sodium borohydride methanolysis. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 31, 1191–1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-022-02636-6
Aydin, M., Hasimoglu, A., Bayrak, Y., & Ozdemir, O. K. (2015). Kinetic properties of co-reduced co-B/graphene catalyst powder for hydrogen generation of sodium borohydride. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 7, 013117. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4906914
Balbay, A., & Saka, C. (2018). The effect of the concentration of hydrochloric acid and acetic acid aqueous solution for fast hydrogen production from methanol solution of NaBH4. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 43(31), 14265-14272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.05.131
Brack, P., Dann, S. E., & Wijayantha, K. G. U. (2015). Heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts for hydrogengeneration by hydrolysis of aqueous sodium borohydride(NaBH4) solutions. Energy Science Engineering, 3(3), 174-188. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.67
Bu, Y., Liu, J., Chu, H., Wei, S., Yin, Q., Kang, L., Luo, X., Sun, L., Xu, F., Huang, P., Rosei, F., Pimerzin, A. A., Seifert, H. J., Du, Y., & Wang, J. (2021). Catalytic hydrogen evolution of NaBH4 hydrolysis by cobalt nanoparticles supported on bagasse-derived porous carbon. Nanomaterials, 11(12), 3259. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123259
Ersen Dudu, T., & Özer Şeker, E. (2023). Green energy source H2 production from NaBH4 hydrolysis using p(Oxalic Acid) based non-metallic catalyst. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 31, 3445-3453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-023-02826-w
Ersen Dudu, T., Alpaslan, D., & Aktas, N. (2022). Hydrogen production from methanolysis of sodium borohydride by non-metal p(CO) organo-particles synthesized from castor oil. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 30, 4562–4570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-022-02521-2

Huang, W. K., Xu, F. H., & Liu, X. (2021). Superior hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride hydrolysis catalyzed by the bimetallic Co-Ru/C nanocomposite. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(50), 25376-25384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.05.083
Hwang, B., Jo, A., Sin, S., Choi, D., Nam, S., & Park, K. (2013). NaBH4 hydrolysis reaction using Co-P-B catalyst supported on FeCrAlloy. Korean Chemical Engineering Research, 51(1), 35-41. DOI: 10.9713/kcer.2013.51.1.35
Kayashima, T., & Katayama, T. (2002). Oxalic acid is available as a natural antioxidant in some systems. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-General Subjects, 1573(1), 1-3. DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4165(02)00338-0
Kim, G. J., & Hwang, H. T. (2021). Thermal hydrolysis of solid-state sodium borohydride for noncatalytic hydrogen generation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 424, 130445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.130445
Kırbaş, İ. (2021). Improving the structural and physical properties of boric acid-doped rigid polyurethane materials. Composites and Advanced Materials, 30, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/26349833211010819
Kostova, I. P., Eftimov, T. A., Hristova, K., Nachkova, S., Tsoneva, S., & Peltekov, A. (2024). An effect of boric acid on the structure and luminescence of yttrium orthoborates doped with europium synthesized by two different routines. Crystals, 14(6), 575. DOI:10.20944/preprints202406.0068.v1
Li, H. Y., Chen, Y. T., Lu, M. T., Lai, Y. H., & Yang, J.T. (2014). Design and testing of a novel catalytic reactor to generate hydrogen. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 39(23), 11945-11954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.05.189
Li, J. H., Hong, X. Y., Wang, Y. L., Luo, Y. M., Huang, P. R., Li, B., Zhang, K. X., Zou, Y. J., Sun, L. X., Xu, F., Rosei, F., Verevkin, S. P., & Pimerzin, A. A. (2020). Encapsulated cobalt nanoparticles as a recoverable catalyst for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. Energy Storage Materials, 27, 187-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2020.01.011
Liang, Y., Dai, H. B., Ma, L. P., Wang, P., & Cheng, H. M. (2010). Hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride solution using a ruthenium supported on graphite catalyst. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 35(7), 3023-3028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.07.008
Ma, M., Duan, R., Ouyang, L., Zhu, X., Chen, Z., Peng, C., & Zhu, M. (2017). Hydrogen storage and hydrogen generation properties of CaMg2-based alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 691, 929-935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.08.307
Mirshafiee, F., & Rezaei, M. (2024). Enhancing hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride hydrolysis and the role of a Co/CuFe₂O₄ nanocatalyst in a continuous flow system. Scientific Reports, 14, 9659. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60428-5
Nath, J., & Chaudhuri, M. K. (2008). Boric acid catalyzed bromination of a variety of organic substrates: an eco-friendly and practical protocol. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 1(4), 223-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518250902758887
Nowotny, J., & Veziroglu, T. N. (2011). Impact of hydrogen on the environment. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36(20), 13218-13224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.07.071
Ozdemir, O. K. (2019). Analysis of kinetic properties for the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH4 and environmental effects in the hydrogen production of activated Co-Ti(II)-B alloy catalysts. Journal of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Gazi University, 34(3), 1586-1594. DOI: 10.17341/gazimmfd.570889
Peng, Y., Zeng, H., Shi, Y., Xu, J., Xie, L., Chen, J., Zheng, J., & Li, X. (2020). Oxalic Acid promoted hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for transition metal free hydrogen generation. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Materials Science Edition, 35(6), 706-710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-020-2349-7
Quadrado, R. F. N., Gohlke, G., Oliboni, R. S., Smaniotto, A., & Fajardo, A. R. (2019). Hybrid hydrogels containing one-step biosynthesized silver nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and catalytic application. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 79, 326-337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2019.07.008
Sahiner, N., & Alpaslan, D. (2014). Metal-Ion-Containing Ionic liquid hydrogels and their application to hydrogen production. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 131(9), 40183. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.40183
Santos, F. L., Giroto, A. S., Torres, J. A., Oliveira, A. V., e Santos, V. M., & Nogueira, A. E. (2024). Hydrogen generation via NaBH4 hydrolysis over cobalt-modified niobium oxide catalysts. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 92, 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.236
Su, R. D., Wang, F. D., Ding, J. Z., Li, Q., Zhou, W. Z., Liu, Y. Z., Gao, B. Y., & Yue, Q. Y. (2019). Magnetic hydrogel derived from wheat straw cellulose/feather protein in ionic liquids as copper nanoparticles carrier for catalytic reduction. Carbohydrate Polymers, 220, 202-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.05.077
Yu, L., Pellechia, P., & Matthews, M. A. (2014). Kinetic models of concentrated NaBH4 hydrolysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 39(1), 442-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.10.105

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Catalytic Activity, Materials Science and Technologies, Polymer Science and Technologies

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Esra Özer Şeker This is me
0000-0002-7311-1129
Türkiye

Tuba Erşen Dudu ^*
0000-0001-5564-2834
Türkiye

Duygu Alpaslan
0000-0002-6007-3397
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 15, 2025

Submission Date

April 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1672076

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA97BJ94FA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Özer Şeker, E., Erşen Dudu, T., & Alpaslan, D. (2025). Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, 8(2), 163-174. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1672076

AMA

1.Özer Şeker E, Erşen Dudu T, Alpaslan D. Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis. JOTCSB. 2025;8(2):163-174. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1672076

Chicago

Özer Şeker, Esra, Tuba Erşen Dudu, and Duygu Alpaslan. 2025. “Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 8 (2): 163-74. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1672076.

EndNote

Özer Şeker E, Erşen Dudu T, Alpaslan D (September 1, 2025) Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 8 2 163–174.

IEEE

[1]E. Özer Şeker, T. Erşen Dudu, and D. Alpaslan, “Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis”, JOTCSB, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 163–174, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.58692/jotcsb.1672076.

ISNAD

Özer Şeker, Esra - Erşen Dudu, Tuba - Alpaslan, Duygu. “Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering 8/2 (September 1, 2025): 163-174. https://doi.org/10.58692/jotcsb.1672076.

JAMA

1.Özer Şeker E, Erşen Dudu T, Alpaslan D. Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis. JOTCSB. 2025;8:163–174.

MLA

Özer Şeker, Esra, et al. “Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis”. Journal of the Turkish Chemical Society Section B: Chemical Engineering, vol. 8, no. 2, Sept. 2025, pp. 163-74, doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1672076.

Vancouver

1.Esra Özer Şeker, Tuba Erşen Dudu, Duygu Alpaslan. Advanced Boric Acid-Based Catalysts for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis. JOTCSB. 2025 Sep. 1;8(2):163-74. doi:10.58692/jotcsb.1672076