64
6 Hydrogen from Miscellaneous Sources and Nanotechnology
it can proceed in the following manner [23]:
N 2 H 4 → 4NH 3 + N 2
Various metallic catalysts are used for the decomposition of the hydrazine for the
generation of hydrogen.
Several of abovementioned processes involve the extensive use of nanotechnology
in the liberation of hydrogen. This chapter will explain the involvement of several
nanomaterials in generation of hydrogen from miscellaneous sources.
6.2 Nano Hydride-Based Hydrogen Generation
Hydrogen can be obtained from the wide variety of the hydrides upon hydrolysis
over certain types of catalysts. A study has reported the use of nanosized platinum
dispersed on LiCoO 2 for the generation of hydrogen from the solution of lithium
borohydride. The substrate (LiAlH 4 ) liberated stoichiometric amount of hydrogen
over the prepared nanocatalysts. 8.6 wt.% of the hydrogen is generated when the
amount of water is considered in the calculations. The chemical equation for the
reaction can be given as.
LiBH 4 + 4H 2 O → LiBO 2 .2H 2 O + 4H 2
The said nanocatalysts were prepared by calcining the lithium cobalt powder
250 °C for 5 h, followed by the coating of Pt by employing the oxide of the metal.
The said materials were characterized with wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD),
transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
[24].
Bimetallic magnetic nanoparticles of Ni and Ru constrained on the resin beads
were fabricated and used as the catalysts for production of hydrogen from alkaline solutions of sodium borohydride. The said nanomaterials were fabricated with
chemical reduction and electroless deposition processes. For the synthesis of the
nanomaterials, resin beads were immersed into the RuCl 3 solution at the room
temperature so that the chelating reaction can occur. The system was allowed to
stir for 1 h. Afterward, the Ru-chelated beads were washed with deionized water,
so as to remove the excessive product. The product was then heated at 70 °C and
followed by the reduction of Ru
3+ to Ru. In this way, electroless deposition of Ni
became possible which is basically an autocatalytic reaction and only occurs on the
conductive metal surfaces. The prepared nanomaterials were analyzed with scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), EDS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and
magnetometer. The nanocatalysts can be recovered with spent solution of NaBH 4
with permanent magnets. This is due to the inherent soft ferromagnetic nature of the
prepared nanomaterial. The recovery of the catalyst leads to the cost reduction of
6 Hydrogen from Miscellaneous Sources and Nanotechnology
it can proceed in the following manner [23]:
N 2 H 4 → 4NH 3 + N 2
Various metallic catalysts are used for the decomposition of the hydrazine for the
generation of hydrogen.
Several of abovementioned processes involve the extensive use of nanotechnology
in the liberation of hydrogen. This chapter will explain the involvement of several
nanomaterials in generation of hydrogen from miscellaneous sources.
6.2 Nano Hydride-Based Hydrogen Generation
Hydrogen can be obtained from the wide variety of the hydrides upon hydrolysis
over certain types of catalysts. A study has reported the use of nanosized platinum
dispersed on LiCoO 2 for the generation of hydrogen from the solution of lithium
borohydride. The substrate (LiAlH 4 ) liberated stoichiometric amount of hydrogen
over the prepared nanocatalysts. 8.6 wt.% of the hydrogen is generated when the
amount of water is considered in the calculations. The chemical equation for the
reaction can be given as.
LiBH 4 + 4H 2 O → LiBO 2 .2H 2 O + 4H 2
The said nanocatalysts were prepared by calcining the lithium cobalt powder
250 °C for 5 h, followed by the coating of Pt by employing the oxide of the metal.
The said materials were characterized with wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD),
transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
[24].
Bimetallic magnetic nanoparticles of Ni and Ru constrained on the resin beads
were fabricated and used as the catalysts for production of hydrogen from alkaline solutions of sodium borohydride. The said nanomaterials were fabricated with
chemical reduction and electroless deposition processes. For the synthesis of the
nanomaterials, resin beads were immersed into the RuCl 3 solution at the room
temperature so that the chelating reaction can occur. The system was allowed to
stir for 1 h. Afterward, the Ru-chelated beads were washed with deionized water,
so as to remove the excessive product. The product was then heated at 70 °C and
followed by the reduction of Ru
3+ to Ru. In this way, electroless deposition of Ni
became possible which is basically an autocatalytic reaction and only occurs on the
conductive metal surfaces. The prepared nanomaterials were analyzed with scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), EDS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and
magnetometer. The nanocatalysts can be recovered with spent solution of NaBH 4
with permanent magnets. This is due to the inherent soft ferromagnetic nature of the
prepared nanomaterial. The recovery of the catalyst leads to the cost reduction of