Facile synthesis of a Co–B nanoparticle catalyst for efficient hydrogen generation via borohydride hydrolysis

A Co–B nanoparticle catalyst was prepared by a modified polyol method. Borohydride served both as a reducing agent for Co2+ and as a boron source, and the solvent, ethylene glycol, served as the surfactant and stabilizer to assemble Co–B clusters into small and uniform particles. The as-prepared Co–B possessed high surface active metal area and highly unsaturated coordinated Co metal, resulting in lower activation energy and higher hydrogen generation rate for hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH4 solution than the conventional Co–B catalyst synthesized from chemical reduction in water bath.

A small and uniform Co–B nanoparticle catalyst with high hydrogen generation rate and efficiency in sodium borohydride hydrolysis was prepared via a facile synthesis route by using ethylene glycol as solvent, surfactant and stabilizer to assemble Co–B clusters.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A facile route to synthesis of Co-B nanoparticles with small and uniform size.
► The Co-B catalyst possesses high activity and efficiency for NaBH4 hydrolysis.
► Synergistic effect of small size and amorphous structure promotes efficiency.
► We clarified the high activity and efficiency of catalyst via kinetic study.