Role of NaCl in NaBH4 production and its hydrolysis

Abstract

This study explains completely feasible route to synthesize NaBH 4 by means of mechano-chemical reaction, in which NaCl, B 2O3 and MgH2 were utilized. Optimum reaction conditions were investigated by different values of reactant ratio and duration to reach 95% NaBH4 purity. In addition, commercial NaBH4 was hydrolyzed with CoI2 supported on activated carbon (AC). Intermediate steps of the studies were traced by means of FT-IR, XRD, SEM and EDX analyses. Activation energy of the catalyst was searched at distinct reaction temperatures and found as 36 kJ/mol. Optimum working time for ball-milling reactor and reactant ratio (MgH2/NaCl) were obtained as 1000 min and 1.0, respectively. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.