Hydrogen generation from NaBH ₄ solution with the high-performance Co(0) catalyst using a cold plasma method

The hydrogen production from the hydrolysis of NaBH₄ with Co(0) catalyst, which is prepared with a cold plasma method under nitrogen atmosphere, was investigated with effects of NaBH₄ and NaOH concentration, temperature, plasma applying time and applying power, and Co(0) catalyst effect. The hydrolysis reaction completed within around 10-min time intervals with cold plasma, while the hydrolysis reaction in the known method completed within around 20-min time intervals. The completion rate of hydrolysis reaction with Co(0) catalyst in cold plasma media compared to non-plasma media increased to be around 100%. The yield of hydrogen in the presence of 3.2, 10, and 25% NaBH₄ solution takes the values of around 94, 90, and 15% at the end of 600 sec, respectively. The experimental data were fitted to first-order. The activation energy for first-order was found to be 26.02 kJ mol^-1.