Synthesis and characterization of carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized nickel-rhodium nanoparticles and their use as catalyst in the hydrolysis of hydrazine borane

In this thesis study, carboxymethyl cellulose-stabilized nickel-rhodium nanoparticles was synthesized to catalyze the hydrogen generation from a boron compound, such as hydrazine borane, which has gained much importance today in the context of renewable energy and hydrogen economy. The first step of this study is the synthesis of hydrazine borane (N2H4BH3) from the reaction of dihydrazine sulfate with sodium borohydride in dioxane. After identification of the product by advanced spectroscopic methods, other steps were started. In the second step, bimetallic nickel-rhodium nanoclusters that catalyze the hydrolysis of hydrazine borane were synthesized. Ni-Rh nanoclusters were stabilized by CMC in aqueous solution. In the third step, the synthesized bimetallic nanoparticles were characterized by advanced analytical methods such as XRD, XPS, (HR)TEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy. In the fourth step, kinetic studies were carried out to liberate hydrogen from hydrolysis of hydrazine borane by successfully synthesized and characterized catalysts. Keywords: Hydrazine Borane, Hydrolysis, Nanoclusters, Nickel, Rhodium.