Gold Nanoparticle Mesoporous Carbon Composite as Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

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 (NaBH4) 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 NaBH4 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 NaBH4 concentrations, lower pH, and higher temperatures. This catalyst, with its stability and competitively low activation energy, makes it a promising material for hydrogen generation.