1.2 Hydrogen Generation and Nanotechnology
7
fermentation have reported the incorporation of different nanomaterials with inorganic and organic origins for the production of H 2 . For instance, nanomaterials of
different metal and metal oxides such as Cu, Au, Pd, Ag, iron-iron-oxide, and TiO 2
are involved in dark fermentation of the biomass for hydrogen generation [22]. Water
gas shift reaction is an important biochemical reaction for the generation of hydrogen
from biomass. In different studies, various nanomaterials have been utilized in the
water gas shift reaction for obtaining high quality and better yield of hydrogen. In a
study, researchers have claimed that gold nanoparticles can be used for the generation of hydrogen via water gas shift reaction. The study reported that the method of
preparation and the pretreatment of the catalysts are very critical for the functioning
of the catalyst in water gas shift reaction. In order to achieve the catalytic activity
of the Au nanoparticles in the reaction, the close contact between oxide support
and gold is crucial. The close contact is associated with the zerovalent atoms of Au
which is necessary for the high catalytic activity. The abovementioned hypothesis is
supported by the in situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements [27]. A detailed discussion of nanotechnology and hydrogen generation from
biomass is provided in Chap. 5.
1.2.5 Hydrogen Generation from Miscellaneous Sources
Other than water and fossil fuels, here are several other important substances that
generate H2 via chemical or physical treatment. Municipal solid waste is also used as
the source of hydrogen. Different components of the waste like biological substances,
organic materials, and other undesirable components like plastic debris are involved
in the generation of hydrogen. Similarly, several chemical substances like hydrides
yield hydrogen via different methods. Variety of the processes involved in hydrogen
generation from miscellaneous sources use nanotechnology. For instance, 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
a stoichiometric amount of Hydrogen when allowed to react with water, over the
prepared 4 nanocatalysts.. 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 [28].
More discussion on nanotechnology-based hydrogen generation from miscellaneous
sources is provided in Chap. 6.
7
fermentation have reported the incorporation of different nanomaterials with inorganic and organic origins for the production of H 2 . For instance, nanomaterials of
different metal and metal oxides such as Cu, Au, Pd, Ag, iron-iron-oxide, and TiO 2
are involved in dark fermentation of the biomass for hydrogen generation [22]. Water
gas shift reaction is an important biochemical reaction for the generation of hydrogen
from biomass. In different studies, various nanomaterials have been utilized in the
water gas shift reaction for obtaining high quality and better yield of hydrogen. In a
study, researchers have claimed that gold nanoparticles can be used for the generation of hydrogen via water gas shift reaction. The study reported that the method of
preparation and the pretreatment of the catalysts are very critical for the functioning
of the catalyst in water gas shift reaction. In order to achieve the catalytic activity
of the Au nanoparticles in the reaction, the close contact between oxide support
and gold is crucial. The close contact is associated with the zerovalent atoms of Au
which is necessary for the high catalytic activity. The abovementioned hypothesis is
supported by the in situ extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements [27]. A detailed discussion of nanotechnology and hydrogen generation from
biomass is provided in Chap. 5.
1.2.5 Hydrogen Generation from Miscellaneous Sources
Other than water and fossil fuels, here are several other important substances that
generate H2 via chemical or physical treatment. Municipal solid waste is also used as
the source of hydrogen. Different components of the waste like biological substances,
organic materials, and other undesirable components like plastic debris are involved
in the generation of hydrogen. Similarly, several chemical substances like hydrides
yield hydrogen via different methods. Variety of the processes involved in hydrogen
generation from miscellaneous sources use nanotechnology. For instance, 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
a stoichiometric amount of Hydrogen when allowed to react with water, over the
prepared 4 nanocatalysts.. 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 [28].
More discussion on nanotechnology-based hydrogen generation from miscellaneous
sources is provided in Chap. 6.