Gold Nanoparticle Mesoporous Carbon Composite as Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Biehler, Erik; Quach, Qui; Abdel-Fattah, Tarek M.

doi:10.3390/molecules29153707

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Gold Nanoparticle Mesoporous Carbon Composite as Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Biehler, Erik·Quach, Qui·Abdel-Fattah, Tarek M.

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Abstract

Increased environmental pollution and the shortage of the current fossil fuel energy supply has increased the demand for eco-friendly energy sources. Hydrogen energy has become a potential solution due to its availability and green combustion byproduct. Hydrogen feedstock materials like sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) are promising sources of hydrogen; however, the rate at which the hydrogen is released during its reaction with water is slow and requires a stable catalyst. In this study, gold nanoparticles were deposited onto mesoporous carbon to form a nano-composite catalyst (AuNP-MCM), which was then characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The composite’s catalytic ability in a hydrogen evolution reaction was tested under varying conditions, including NaBH 4 concentration, pH, and temperature, and it showed an activation of energy of 30.0 kJ mol -1 . It was determined that the optimal reaction conditions include high NaBH 4 concentrations, lower pH, and higher temperatures. This catalyst, with its stability and competitively low activation energy, makes it a promising material for hydrogen generation.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY gold nanoparticles hydrogen evolution mesoporous carbon nanocomposite sustainable source

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Biehler, Erik, Quach, Qui, Abdel-Fattah, Tarek M.. 2024-08-05. Gold Nanoparticle Mesoporous Carbon Composite as Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153707

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