Synergistical photo-thermal-catalysis of Zn2GeO4:xFe3+ for H2 evolution in NaBH4 hydrolysis reaction

Hydrogen Storage in Complex Metal Hydrides NaBH4: Hydrolysis Reaction and Experimental Strategies

Worldwide, hydrogen is gaining ground since it is a promising alternative energy source to conventional fuels, which include fossil fuel. Thus, numerous techniques to generate hydrogen have been suggested. This literature review describes the challenges and obstacles identified through a series of the publications that target the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. This review present several catalysts and reactor systems for the generation of hydrogen gas using the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, selecting articles in the literature that show a promising future for this technology, although some challenges lie ahead. Sodium borohydride has been widely considered as a low-cost hydrogen storage material with high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of about 10 wt.%. However, its thermodynamic stability seriously hinders the application of sodium borohydride to obtain hydrogen. The performances of the reviewed systems of sodium borohydride hydrolysis include analysis from both the thermodynamic and kinetic points of view. The feasibility of an efficient hydrogen generation system, where a mixture of sodium borohydride and catalysts is hydrolyzed, is considered. This review aims to provide a useful resource to aid researchers starting work on the generation of hydrogen gas using the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, so they can select the catalysts and reactor systems that best suit them. Thus far, no single catalyst and reactor system can simultaneously meet all of the required standards for efficient practical applications.

Rehydrogenation of Sodium Borates to Close the NaBH4-H2 Cycle: A Review

In 2007, the US Department of Energy recommended a no-go on NaBH4 hydrolysis for onboard applications; however, the concept of a NaBH4-H2-PEMFC system has the potential to become a primary source for on-demand power supply. Despite the many efforts to study this technology, most of the published papers focus on catalytic performance. Nevertheless, the development of a practical reaction system to close the NaBH4-H2 cycle remains a critical issue. Therefore, this work provides an overview of the research progress on the solutions for the by-product rehydrogenation leading to the regeneration of NaBH4 with economic potential. It is the first to compare and analyze the main types of processes to regenerate NaBH4: thermo-, mechano-, and electrochemical. Moreover, it considers the report by Demirci et al. on the main by-product of sodium borohydride hydrolysis. The published literature already reported efficient NaBH4 regeneration; however, the processes still need more improvements. Moreover, it is noteworthy that a transition to clean methods, through the years, was observed.