Electrodeposited amorphous Co–P catalyst for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution

• A new film form catalyst of amorphous Co–P was electrodeposited on Cu sheet.
• The effect of NaH2PO2 in electroplating solution was investigated.
• The catalyst was employed in hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4.
• The highest hydrogen generation rate of 5965 mL (min g-catalyst)−1 was achieved.

In this study the amorphous Co–P alloy was electrodeposited on Cu sheet to produce a film form catalyst for hydrogen generation reactions. The effect of NaH2PO2 concentration on the microstructures of Co–P alloys and their catalytic activities for hydrolysis of NaBH4 were investigated. Experimental results showed that the deposited Co–P alloys exhibited amorphous structure and when 1.0 M NaH2PO2 was used, the highest hydrogen generation rate of 5965 mL (min g-catalyst)−1 was achieved. This rate was 1.4 folds higher than the reported electroless-deposited Co–P catalysts. Furthermore, the activation energy for hydrolysis of NaBH4 was as low as 23.9 kJ mol−1. The durability of the Co–P catalyst was also tested and showed stable activity in 5 cycles.

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