Hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of sodium tetrahydroborate: effects of acids and transition metals and their salts

Abstract

A study was undertaken in order to investigate the potential of NaBH₄ as a precursor fuel source for a hydrogen–oxygen (air) fuel cell. At appropriate initial acid concentration, hydrolysis of NaBH₄ is nearly 80% complete in 2.5 min, and nearly 90% complete in 10 min at 21.7 °C. Transition metals and their salts also accelerate hydrolysis of NaBH₄. The effect of transition metals is characterized by zero-order kinetics.