Retracted Article: Mesoporous multiwalled carbon nanotubes as supports for monodispersed iron–boron catalysts: improved hydrogen generation from hydrous hydrazine decomposition

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotube supported iron–boron catalysts (Fe–B/MWCNTs) were developed via the chemical reduction of aqueous sodium borohydride with iron chloride for hydrolysis of hydrous hydrazine (N₂H₄). The effects of loading, N₂H₄ concentration, reaction temperature and supporting materials on the as-prepared Fe–B/MWCNTs were investigated. A high H₂ generation rate of 34.2 L h⁻¹ g⁻¹ catalyst for the 9.86 wt% Fe–B/MWCNTs is achieved with 97.0% H₂ selectivity at room temperature. Furthermore, the hydrolysis reaction is zero order with respect to N₂H₄ concentration in the range 0.1–5 mol L⁻¹, and the activation energy is 46.7 ± 1.3 kJ mol⁻¹ for 9.86 wt% Fe–B/MWCNTs. The 9.86 wt% Fe–B/MWCNTs are stable catalysts for N₂H₄ hydrolytic dehydrogenation as they provide 114 480 total turnovers in 30 h. The improved performance of Fe–B/MWCNTs is a promising step towards the application of N₂H₄ as a chemical hydrogen storage material.