Two-dimensional ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheet: a cost-effective and reusable catalyst for hydrogen production via sodium borohydride methanolysis.
LEITE, Ramon Resende; SOUZA, Dilean Theilon Dutra de; AMARAL, Mateus de Souza; BERNARDI, Maria Inês Basso; FAJARDO, Humberto Vieira.
LEITE, Ramon Resende; SOUZA, Dilean Theilon Dutra de; AMARAL, Mateus de Souza; BERNARDI, Maria Inês Basso; FAJARDO, Humberto Vieira.
Abstract: This study presents an innovative green synthesis strategy for hierarchical nanoparticles comprising two-dimensional (2D) cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanosheets, using microfibrillated cellulose as a sustainable template. The synthesized material was used for the first time as a catalyst in hydrogen (H2) production through sodium borohydride (NaBH4) methanolysis. A comprehensive investigation utilizing a full factorial design (23) was conducted to assess the effects of catalyst mass, NaBH4 concentration, and reaction temperature. Under optimal conditions, i.e., at 55 °C with 10 mg of catalyst and 0.193 g of NaBH4, the maximum hydrogen generation rate (HGR) reached an impressive 21,128 mL min-1 g-1. This HGR value was approximately 15 times greater than the results obtained in experiments conducted at room temperature (25-30 °C). The catalyst showed a relatively low activation energy (Ea = 19.5 ± 0.2 kJ mol-1). Although a 25 % activity loss occurred after the first cycle, the activity remained stable throughout the fifth cycle. Ex situ Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that the surface chemistry changed after use, thus contributing to a reduction in catalytic activity.
@article={003243852,author = {LEITE, Ramon Resende; SOUZA, Dilean Theilon Dutra de; AMARAL, Mateus de Souza; BERNARDI, Maria Inês Basso; FAJARDO, Humberto Vieira.},title={Two-dimensional ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheet: a cost-effective and reusable catalyst for hydrogen production via sodium borohydride methanolysis},journal={International Journal of Hydrogen Energy},note={v. 124, p. 204-217},year={2025}}