Biehler Erik, Quach Qui, Abdel-Fattah Tarek M
Applied Research Center, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA.
Materials (Basel). 2023 Jul 3;16(13):4779. doi: 10.3390/ma16134779.
The search for a sustainable, alternative fuel source to replace fossil fuels has led to an increased interest in hydrogen fuel. This combustible gas is not only clean-burning but can readily be produced via the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The main drawback of this reaction is that the reaction occurs relatively slowly and requires a catalyst to improve efficiency. This study explored a novel composite material made by combining gold nanoparticles and fused graphene-like materials (AuFGLM) as a catalyst for generating hydrogen via sodium borohydride. The novel fused graphene-like material (FGLM) was made with a sustainable dextrose solution and by using a pressure-processing method. Imaging techniques showed that FGLM appears to be an effective support template for nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize and determine the size, shape, and structure of nanoparticles and composites. The TEM study characterized the fused carbon backbone as it began to take on a rounder shape. The TEM images also revealed that the average diameter of the gold nanoparticle was roughly 23 nm. The FTIR study confirmed O-H, C-C, and C=O as functional groups in the materials. The EDS analysis showed that the composite contained approximately 6.3% gold by weight. The crystal structures of FGLM and AuFGLM were identified via P-XRD analysis. Various reaction conditions were used to test the catalytic ability of AuFGLM, including various solution pHs, temperatures, and doses of NaBH. It was observed that optimal reaction conditions included high temperature, an acidic solution pH, and a higher dose of NaBH. The activation energy of the reaction was determined to be 45.5 kJ mol, and it was found that the catalyst could be used multiple times in a row with an increased volume of hydrogen produced in ensuing trials. The activation energy of this novel catalyst is competitive compared to similar catalysts and its ability to produce hydrogen over multiple uses makes the material an exciting choice for catalyzing the hydrolysis of NaBH for use as a hydrogen fuel source.
对可持续替代燃料源以取代化石燃料的探索，引发了人们对氢燃料的兴趣日益浓厚。这种可燃气体不仅燃烧清洁，而且可以通过硼氢化钠水解轻松制得。该反应的主要缺点是反应相对缓慢，需要催化剂来提高效率。本研究探索了一种由金纳米颗粒和类石墨烯融合材料（AuFGLM）组合而成的新型复合材料，作为通过硼氢化钠制氢的催化剂。新型类石墨烯融合材料（FGLM）由可持续的葡萄糖溶液并采用压力处理方法制成。成像技术表明，FGLM似乎是纳米颗粒的有效支撑模板。使用透射电子显微镜（TEM）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、能量色散X射线光谱（EDS）、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、X射线衍射（XRD）和拉曼光谱来表征并确定纳米颗粒和复合材料的尺寸、形状及结构。TEM研究对融合碳骨架进行了表征，因为它开始呈现出更圆润的形状。TEM图像还显示金纳米颗粒的平均直径约为23纳米。FTIR研究证实了材料中的O-H、C-C和C=O为官能团。EDS分析表明该复合材料含金重量约为6.3%。通过P-XRD分析确定了FGLM和AuFGLM的晶体结构。使用各种反应条件来测试AuFGLM的催化能力，包括各种溶液pH值、温度和硼氢化钠剂量。观察到最佳反应条件包括高温、酸性溶液pH值和较高剂量的硼氢化钠。该反应的活化能确定为45.5 kJ/mol，并且发现该催化剂可以连续多次使用，在后续试验中产生的氢气量会增加。与类似催化剂相比，这种新型催化剂的活化能具有竞争力，并且其多次产氢的能力使该材料成为催化硼氢化钠水解用作氢燃料源的一个令人兴奋的选择。
