Research Article

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS

Volume: 11 Number: 2 December 30, 2025

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS

Abstract

This current study reports the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of a novel catalyst (Ac-HCl-Fe) derived from Acorn cups biomass waste for hydrogen production via sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solvolysis. The catalyst characterization was conducted using FTIR, SEM, and SEM-EDX techniques. Catalytic performance tests showed the efficiency of Ac-HCl-Fe in hydrogen generation, with parameters including catalyst loading, NaBH4 quantity, and reaction temperature significantly influencing the kinetics. Remarkably, the NaBH4 methanolysis reaction catalyzed by Ac-HCl-Fe was completed in 4.0 minutes, while the NaBH4 solvolysis in a binary propylene glycol/methanol (1:1, v/v) solvent system reached completion within just 0.9 minutes, producing a similar volume of hydrogen (~670 mL). The HGR was determined to be 68,300  mL min⁻1gcat⁻1 for the NaBH4 solvolysis reaction conducted in a binary propylene glycol/methanol (1:1, v/v) solvent system at 30 °C. In addition, the effective activation energy was calculated to be 32.36 kJ/mol, that is relatively low compared to other activated carbon-based catalysts reported for similar applications. Overall, the results show that Ac-HCl-Fe is a promising, efficient, and sustainable catalyst for hydrogen generation by solvolysis of NaBH4, especially in binary solvent systems.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Artvin Coruh University Scientific Research Project Coordination

Project Number

2023.TAB.F65.02.01

Ethical Statement

Not applicable.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Inorganic Chemistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

October 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Işık, U. (2025). PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS. Middle East Journal of Science, 11(2), 228-246. https://doi.org/10.51477/mejs.1805593
AMA
1.Işık U. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS. MEJS. 2025;11(2):228-246. doi:10.51477/mejs.1805593
Chicago
Işık, Uğur. 2025. “PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS”. Middle East Journal of Science 11 (2): 228-46. https://doi.org/10.51477/mejs.1805593.
EndNote
Işık U (December 1, 2025) PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS. Middle East Journal of Science 11 2 228–246.
IEEE
[1]U. Işık, “PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS”, MEJS, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 228–246, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.51477/mejs.1805593.
ISNAD
Işık, Uğur. “PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS”. Middle East Journal of Science 11/2 (December 1, 2025): 228-246. https://doi.org/10.51477/mejs.1805593.
JAMA
1.Işık U. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS. MEJS. 2025;11:228–246.
MLA
Işık, Uğur. “PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS”. Middle East Journal of Science, vol. 11, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 228-46, doi:10.51477/mejs.1805593.
Vancouver
1.Uğur Işık. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ACORN CUPS VIA HCl-FeCl2 CO-ACTIVATION FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION THROUGH NaBH4 SOLVOLYSIS. MEJS. 2025 Dec. 1;11(2):228-46. doi:10.51477/mejs.1805593

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