Stabilized cobalt-based nanofilm catalyst prepared using an ionic liquid/water interfacial process for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride

Shuyan Guan; Lulu An; Yumei Chen; Mingbin Li; Jianchao Shi; Xianyun Liu; Yanping Fan; Baojun Li; Baozhong Liu

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2021.11.041

Stabilized cobalt-based nanofilm catalyst prepared using an ionic liquid/water interfacial process for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 Feb 15;608(Pt 3):3111-3120. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.11.041. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Authors

Shuyan Guan¹, Lulu An², Yumei Chen³, Mingbin Li², Jianchao Shi², Xianyun Liu², Yanping Fan², Baojun Li⁴, Baozhong Liu⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2001 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo 454000, PR China; College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Road, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
² College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2001 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo 454000, PR China.
³ College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2001 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo 454000, PR China. Electronic address: chenyumei@hpu.edu.cn.
⁴ College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Road, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
⁵ College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, 2001 Century Avenue, Jiaozuo 454000, PR China; State Collaborative Innovation Center of Coal Work Safety and Clean-efficiency Utilization, Jiaozuo 454003, PR China. Electronic address: HPUliuking@163.com.

PMID: 34844733
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.11.041

Abstract

The design and construction of transition metal catalysts with high performance and low-cost characteristics are imperative for liquid hydrogen storage materials. In this study, we prepared ultrathin carbon-stabilized Co-doped Co_xO_y nanofilms (C-Co/Co_xO_y NFs) using an ionic liquid/water interface strategy for sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) hydrolysis. Owing to its two-dimensional (2D) NF structure and the protective effects of the composite carbon, the C-Co/Co_xO_y NF catalyst exhibited remarkable activity and durability for hydrogen generation from NaBH₄ hydrolysis. The hydrogen generation rate reached 8055 mL·min^-1·g_Co^-1 (5106 mL·min^-1·g_Cat^-1) and the catalyst could be recycled more than 20 times, surpassing most reported metal-based catalysts under comparable conditions. In addition, the exceptional 2D Co-based NF structures, with numerous active sites, assisted in the activation of NaBH₄ and water molecules, promoting hydrogen production. Thus, these results provided an in-depth understanding of hydrogen generation from NaBH₄ hydrolysis, and an effective strategy for rationally designing highly active and durable 2D NF catalysts.

Keywords: Co/CoxOy nanofilms; Hydrogen generation; Ionic liquid/water interfacial; Pyrolytic carbon; Sodium borohydride; Sodium borohydride hydrolysis.