Carbon supported Pd based catalysts for the hydrolytic dehydrogeneration of morpholine borane

Abstract

Although the reducing property of morpholine borane is frequently used, there are few studies on its use as a chemical hydrogen storage material. This study presents the catalyst efficiency for hydrogen production in the dehydrogenation reaction of morpholine borane as efficient and cost-effective hydrogen storage material, which can be used as an alternative to depleting fossil fuels. It was studied with four different catalysts as activated Carbon-supported Pd, PdAg, PdNi, and PdCo. Bimetallic palladium based catalysts were used for the dehydrogenation of morpholine borane for the first time. Nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical reduction method. The catalytic effects of different metal ratios of PdNi/C nanoparticles, which were concluded to have the best catalyst effect, were investigated and it was observed that the ratio of Pd₅₀Ni₅₀/C nanoparticles exhibited better catalytic behavior, and optimization studies were carried out with Pd₅₀Ni₅₀/C nanoparticles. Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analyzes were performed for the characterization of nanoparticles. According to the characterization analyzes of Pd₅₀Ni₅₀/C nanoparticles, the mean particle size was determined as 2.0 ± 1.0 nm. Catalyst efficiency was determined by performing the substrate, catalyst, and temperature experiments separately in the dehydrogenation reaction of Morpholine Borane. These parameters are respectively; Ea and ΔH were calculated as 93.2 kJ/mol, and 90.6 kJ/mol. The reusability experiments were carried out in 4 cycles. In other words, with this study, it was concluded that the reusability of Pd₅₀Ni₅₀/C nanoparticles synthesized by the chemical method is high and their catalytic activity is excellent.

Keywords: Catalyst; Chemical reduction; Hydrogen production; Morpholine borane; PdNi/C; Sodium borohydride.