Carbon-based fuels have been the primary source of energy used by humans for centuries. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and produce many harmful emissions when burned, polluting the earths freshwater and atmosphere. Hydrogen gas are economically and environmentally superior to carbon-based fuels. One way to produce hydrogen gas is the reduction of Solid Hydrogen Feedstocks (SHFs) in water. When catalyzed by metal nanoparticles, the reaction proceeds at a practical rate and releases hydrogen gas as a byproduct at an increased rate. Palladium and silver nanoparticles were synthesized and supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for application in hydrogen evolution reactions with NaBH4. The nanoparticles/MWCNT composites were characterized through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Catalytic activity was quantified using a gravimetric water displacement system. The palladium catalyst performed best at a pH of 7 a NaBH4 concentration of 835 micromoles, and a temperature of 30C, with a rate constant of 0.0029 min-1. The silver catalyst performed best at a temperature of 22C, with a rate constant of 0.0019 min-1.

Catalytic activity of noble metal nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

254th National Meeting (2017)

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