Reduced graphene oxide supported copper nano particles: synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity in the hydrogen production from hydrazne-borane

Hydrogen is an important energy carrier when considered as energy per unit mass. It is also an important fuel alternative to fossil fuels among future clean energy sources. The storing of hydrogen as gas and liquid is dangerous and costly, so it is more suitable to store it as a solid. Hydrazine borane (HB) is a solid storage system with high hydrogen (15.4%) capacity. Our work covers the synthesis and characterization of reduced graphene oxide supported copper nanoparticles (Cu@rGO) and the investigation of their catalytic performance in hydrogen production from the hydrolysis of hydrazine borane (HB). The characterization of the prepared Cu@rGO nanocatalyst was performed using TEM, XRD, XPS and ICP-OES techniques. In the kinetic studies for the catalytic efficiency of Cu@rGO, studies were carried out depending on the temperature, the Cu@rGO nanocatalyst and HB concentrations. The catalytic efficiency of the Cu@rGO nanocatalyst in the hydrolysis reaction of HB was found to be 0.195 min-1 in terms of turn-over frequency (TOF), and also the activation energy (Ea), reaction enthalpy (ΔH) and reaction entropy (ΔS) of the reaction were calculated by kinetic studies performed at different temperatures.