Ni/Ag/silica nanocomposite catalysts for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4 solution

Ni/Ag/silica nanocomposite catalysts were prepared by three procedures-nickel coated to amine functionalized silica directly, nickel coated on the surface of Ag/silica nanocomposites reduced by formaldehyde and NaBH4, respectively. The properties and morphologies of the Ni/Ag/silica nanocomposite catalysts were studied by UV-Visible spectra and scanning electron microscopy. The novel catalysts were applied for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of NaBH4. A rate of hydrogen generation per unit nickel as high as 2600 ml/min/g Ni was obtained with 150 mM NaBH4 at 30 °C, which notes that these nanocomposites can be used as a competitive catalytic material for hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of NaBH4.