(134c) Electroless Nickel Based Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation by Hydrolysis of NaBH4

Catalysts based on electroless nickel and bi-metallic Ni-Mo nanoparticles were developed for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for hydrogen generation. The catalysts were synthesized by polymer-stabilized Pd nanoparticle-catalyzation and activation of Al2O3 substrate and electroless Ni or Ni-Mo plating of the substrate for selected time lengths. Catalytic activity of synthesized catalysts was tested for the hydrolyzation of alkaline-stabilized NaBH4 solution for hydrogen generation. The effect of electroless plating time lengths, temperature and NaBH4 concentration on hydrogen generation rates is analyzed and discussed. Compositional analysis and surface morphology were carried out for nano-metallized Al2O3 using XRD, SEM and EDAX. Suggestions are provided for further work needed prior to using the catalyst for portable hydrogen generation from alkaline-stabilized NaBH4 solution for fuel cells.