Reduction of cobalt ion improved by lanthanum and zirconium as a triphenylphosphine stabilized nano catalyst for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

•Triphenylphosphine stabilized La/Zr Co–B nano particle was prepared.•Particle size distribution was prepared and average size particle is about 13 nm.•Triphenylphosphine as stabilizing agent can prevent agglomeration.•Hydrolysis of NaBH4 is first order with respect to the catalyst concentration.•Hydrolysis of NaBH4 is first order with respect to the NaBH4 concentration.

La–Zr co-doped Co–B nanoparticle stabilized by Triphenylphosphine (TPP) is for the first time prepared in situ reduction by sodium borohydride at reflux condition. Obtained powders were characterized by XRD, BET, ICP, SEM–EDS and TEM techniques. TEM images depict that Co–B is appears formless and agglomerated powder. There are no agglomerated TPP stabilized La–Zr co-doped Co–B nanoparticles. It is concluded that, TPP as stabilizing agent can prevent agglomeration. TPP stabilized nanoparticle is formed as a spherical shaped particle. Particle size distribution is prepared and average size particle is about 13 nm. TPP stabilized La–Zr co-doped Co–B nanoparticle is highly active catalyst for hydrogen generation through the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. It is also includes the full experimental details for the collection of a wealth of kinetic data to determine the activation energy (Ea = 45 kJ mol−1). Catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4 is first order with respect to the catalyst concentration and also first order to the NaBH4 concentration in the case of TPP stabilized La–Zr co-doped Co–B nanoparticles.

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