Catalytic Activity of Transition Metal Oxides in Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Borazane

Abstract

A possible use of oxides of transition metals (cobalt, iron, copper, molybdenum, vanadium, zinc, cadmium, titanium, manganese, chromium, and tungsten) as catalysts for hydrolysis of borazane was studied. The hydrolysis was carried out at temperatures from 35 to 80 °C in an aqueous solution with a concentration of 0,24 wt.% of borazane. The weight of loaded oxides was 10–40 mg. The highest rate of hydrogen evolution was observed at 80 °C for oxides of cobalt (Co3O4) and iron (Fe2O3.nH2O). From the data obtained for these oxides, the order of reaction with respect to borazane was found to be one. The activity of cobalt and iron oxides in the hydrolysis of borazane at operating temperatures (80 °C) of fuel cells based on proton-conducting membranes makes the oxides promising for the production of hydrogen in energy-autonomous devices, including vehicles.