Carbon-based fuels are currently being consumed at an unsustainable rate.¹ The increase in energy consumption of the modern world has created a demand for alternative fuel sources, and the need has never been greater.² With mounting economic and environmental concerns, the time for the switch to a clean, reliable alternative is prime. Hydrogen gas is a popular choice due to its low greenhouse gas emissions however, pure hydrogen gas is problematic due to its high flammability. Hydrogen feedstock materials are currently being explored due to their ability to store substantial amounts of hydrogen gas in a stable and safe way.^2-3 NaBH₄ is a common hydrogen feedstock material because of its high percentage of hydrogen (over 10% by weight). This reaction occurs very slowly without catalytic assistance.⁴ Transition metal catalysts have demonstrated efficiency in the oxidation of sodium borohydride resulting in an increased release rate of hydrogen gas.⁴ Platinum nanoparticles have demonstrated potential as a catalyst for this reaction. Nanoparticles must be stabilized on a support system for them to achieve maximum catalytic efficiency through reduced agglomeration and by maintaining the particle shape and size distribution.^2-4 Graphene and graphene oxide scaffolds may be used as a support system for platinum nanoparticles in this reaction.⁵ Overall, platinum nanoparticles showed the highest reaction rate of 0.0022 mol-1 sec-1 with a standard concentration of NaBH₄, at a pH of 7 subjected to an increased temperature at 30°C.

References

1. Retnamma, R.; Novais, A.Q.; Rangel, C.M. Kinetics of hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for hydrogen production in fuel cell applications: a review. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2011, 36, 9772-9790.
2. Huff, C.; Long, J.; Aboulatta, A.; Heyman, A.; T. Abdel-Fattah, Silver Nanoparticle/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite as Catalyst for Hydrogen Production. ECS J Solid State Sci Technol. 2017, 6, M115-118.
3. Tian, Z. Q.; Jiang, S. P.; Liang, Y. M.; Shen, P. K. Synthesis and Characterization of Platinum Catalysts on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Intermittent Microwave Irradiation for Fuel Cell Applications. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2006, 110(11), 5343–5350.
4. Pena-Alonsa R, Sicurelli A, Callone E, Carturan G, Raj R. A picoscale catalyst for hydrogen generation from NaBH4 for fuel cells. J Power Sources 2007; 165:315-23.
5. Kochkar, H., Aouine, Ghorbel, A.,Berhault, G. Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Silver and Palladium Nanoparticles Using β-Cyclodextrin. Journal of Physical Chemistry 2011, 115, 11364-11373.