Tailoring acid-base sites and oxygen vacancies in boron- and sulfur-integrated cobalt oxide for high-performance NaBH4 dehydrogenation
Cobalt oxide; Hydrogen production; Hydrolysis reaction; Oxygen vacancies; Sodium borohydride
Catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) offers an effective route for on-demand hydrogen generation. In this study, we develop a sulfur and boron modified cobalt oxide catalyst (S-B-CoxOy), through controlled calcination, for hydrogen production from NaBH4. The catalyst achieves a high hydrogen generation rate of 5,400 mL min?1 g?1, facilitated by synergistic enhancements in crystallinity, defect density, and acid-base site distribution. Sulfur and boron incorporation enhances oxygen vacancies and increases active site density, promoting efficient adsorption and activation of NaBH4 and water. NH3-TPD and CO2-TPD confirm balanced acid-base functionalities crucial for electron transfer and intermediate stabilization. A thermally induced phase transition from Co3O4 to CoO, along with increased surface area, further boosts activity. Kinetic studies reveal a zero-order dependence on NaBH4 concentration, demonstrating that the reaction rate is primarily governed by the catalyst's surface properties. This work highlights the importance of defect engineering and surface tuning for efficient hydrogen generation. 2025
Suryawanshi, Akash; Abraham, Anitha; Gupta, Suraj; Patel, Rupali; Fernandes, Rohan; Patel, Nainesh
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy;Volume;200;Issue;;Article No.;152927;
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.152927 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024344243?origin=resultslist
Suryawanshi A., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Abraham A., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Gupta S., Advanced Materials Department, Joef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia; Patel R., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Fernandes R., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Patel N., Department of Physics and Electronics, Christ University, Bengaluru, 560029, India