Type of Document	Thesis
Author	Katam, Leelarani
Author's Email Address	leela@eng.fsu.edu
URN	etd-07092007-132604
Title	Hydrolysis of Nabh4 Using Electroless Ni Catalyst
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Chemical Engineering, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title E.E. KALU Committee Member J. C. TELOTTE Committee Member R. Liang Committee Member
Keywords	Ni-Catalyst Electroless Nickel Plating Alumina Substrate Hydrolysis Of Sodium Borohydride
Date of Defense	2007-07-02
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The development of new storage materials will facilitate the use of hydrogen as a major energy vector in the near future. Chemical hydrides like NaBH4 have been tested as a possible precursor material for supplying hydrogen. In this study, catalytic hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH4 solution is studied using a Ni-based catalyst. The Ni catalysts were synthesized by Pd catalyzation and activation of Al2O3 substrate and electroless Ni plating of the substrate for selected time lengths. Catalytic activity of synthesized Ni catalysts was tested for the hydrolyzation of alkaline-stabilized NaBH4 solution. The effect of Palladium loadings on the substrate and nickel plating time lengths on hydrogen generation rates is analyzed and discussed. Compositional analysis and surface morphology were done for metallized Al2O3 particles using SEM and EDAX. Apparently, for the conditions studied, two-stage hydrogen evolution rates describe the hydrogen-time curves – the high catalytic activity stage that is followed by the low catalyst activity stage. Further, within the limited range of variables investigated 85 ìg Pd/g Al2O3 loading and nickel plating time of 5 minutes yielded the best hydrogen generation rates. Suggestions are provided for further work needed prior to using the catalyst for hydrogen generation from alkaline-stabilized NaBH4 solution.
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