Silver-Nanoparticle-Decorated Fused Carbon Sphere Composite as a Catalyst for Hydrogen Generation

Erik Biehler, Qui Quach and Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah ()
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Erik Biehler: Applied Research Center, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
Qui Quach: Applied Research Center, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah: Applied Research Center, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA 23606, USA

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: The dwindling supply of fossil fuels has resulted in a search for an efficient alternative energy source. Hydrogen gas offers an abundant, clean-burning supply of energy that can be readily produced over time via the water-splitting reaction of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). This study explored the synthesis of a novel catalyst comprised of silver nanoparticles supported on fused carbon spheres (AgNP-FCS). This composite catalyst was then tested for its ability to optimize the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH 4 . The fused carbon spheres (FCS) were synthesized via a sustainable source, namely a dextrose solution. The synthesized AgNP-FCS catalyst was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average diameter of silver nanoparticles on the catalyst was found to be 30 nm with 3.7% loading. This catalyst was tested under various reaction conditions, including temperatures, doses of NaBH 4 , and solution pHs. The activation energy of the reaction as catalyzed by AgNP-FCS was determined to be 37.0 kJ mol −1 , which was competitive when compared to similar catalysts for this reaction. A study of the reusability of this catalyst suggests that the catalyst can be used multiple times consecutively with no loss in hydrogen generated. This material presents an opportunity for a sustainable catalyst to optimize the amount of hydrogen generated via the hydrolysis of NaBH 4 .

Keywords: silver nanoparticles; fused carbon spheres; hydrogen production; hydrogen feedstock; catalyst (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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