Cobalt boride catalysts for hydrogen generation from alkaline NaBH ₄ solution

Cobalt boride precursors were synthesized via chemical reaction of aqueous sodium borohydride with cobalt chloride, and followed by heat-treating at various temperatures. The as-prepared Co-B catalysts were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption and catalytic activity test; and were adopted to help accelerating hydrolysis reaction of NaBH₄ alkaline solution. The Co-B catalyst treated at 500 °C exhibits the best catalytic activity, and achieves an average H ₂ generation rate of 2970 ml/min/g, which may give a successive H₂ supply for a 481 W proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) at 100% H₂ utilization.