Co3O4 hollow fiber: An efficient catalyst precursor for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride to generate hydrogen

Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is one of promising hydrogen storage materials for practical application, and the development of high-efficient catalysts for NaBH4 hydrolysis to generate hydrogen is of critical importance. In this communication, Co3O4 hollow fiber composed of nanoparticles array was served as catalyst precursor and facilely prepared by combustion method with template of the absorbent cotton. For characterization, FE-SEM, HRTEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR and ICP were applied, respectively, and typical water-displacement method was performed to evaluate the catalytic activity. Using a solution composed of 10 wt% NaBH4 and 2 wt% NaOH, hydrogen generation rate was up to 11.12 L min−1 g−1 (25 °C), which is much higher than that of the commercial cobalt oxides and similar catalyst precursors reported in literature.