Hydrogen Generation via Sodium Borohydride Hydrolysis Using the Graphene Supported Platinum-Ruthenium-Cobalt Catalysts Prepared nu Microwave-Assisted Synthesis

In this study the graphene supported PtRuCo catalysts were prepared with different Pt:Ru:Co molar ratios equal to 3.5:1:23, 1:1.7:5.6 and 1:2:2 by means of microwave synthesis. The shape and size of catalyst particles were examined using a Transmission Electron Microscopy. The catalytic activity of the graphene supported PtRuCo catalysts was evaluated with respect to the hydrolysis reaction of sodium borohydride by measuring the amount of generated hydrogen. It was found that highest rates of hydrogen generation were obtained at 60 o C and are 53.1, 82.8 and 71.1 L min -1 g -1 metal for the PtRuCo/GR catalysts with the Pt:Ru:Co molar ratios equal to 3.5:1:23, 1:1.7:5.6 and 1:2:2, respectively. The activation energy, determined from the kinetic data, is 50.2, 55.9 and 45.6 kJ mol -1 for PtRuCo/GR with the above mentioned Pt:Ru:Co molar ratios, indicating a high catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts towards hydrolysis of sodium borohydride.