NiB loaded acetic acid treated microalgae strain (Spirulina Platensis) to use as a catalyst for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride methanolysis

ABSTRACT

In this study, a Spirulina Platensis microalgal strain as an alternative support material is prepared. It is the first time investigated the use of microalgae as support material with Ni²⁺ ions to produce a highly efficient catalyst. Nickel-boron loaded acetic acid treated microalgae strain (SSMS-CH₃COOH-NiB) is prepared with a chemical reduction method to use as a catalyst for the hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) methanolysis. The catalytic performance for hydrogen production is tested at the temperature of 30°C. The maximum hydrogen production rate obtained from the reaction of SSMS-CH₃COOH-NiB (30wt %) was found as 3407 ml/min/g_cat. The completion time of the methanolysis reaction was 7 minutes. The activation energy was found to be 28.8 kJ/mol. The results provide that microalgae can be used as support material with low cost, more environmentally friendly and sustainability.

KEYWORDS:

• Spirulina platensis
• microalgal strain
• support material
• nickel-boron
• hydrogen

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Mustafa Kaya

Mustafa Kaya has received his PhD from Selcuk University and he is now working for Siirt University assistant professor. His research focus on biotechnology, catalysis and energy.