Synthesis of Fe-Fe2B catalysts via solvothermal route for hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of NaBH4

Abstract

In this study; W2B nanocrystals were synthesized with B2O3/Mg/WO3 starting materials via mechanochemical method. Starting materials were mixed according to the reaction stoichiometry and reduction processes were performed in a planetary ball mill under Argon gas atmosphere. Phase and morphology structure of particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM/EDX) and the specific surface area was measured by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) theory. The effect of milling period and molar ratios of starting powders were investigated in detail. Results showed that W2B nanocrystals were obtained successfully without different tungsten compounds after 30 h milling and purification in 2 M HCl solution. Coaxial/spherical shaped and agglomerated W2B nanocrystals were observed by microstructural examinations. Crystallite size and specific surface area of the W2B nanocrystals were determined as 13.61 nm and 18 m2/g respectively.