A monolithic sponge catalyst for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride solution for portable fuel cells

Abstract

A monolithic sponge catalyst composed of amorphous cobalt boride nanoparticles homogeneously deposited on the fibres of a commercial polyvinyl formal (PVFM) sponge is developed for the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. The hydrolysis of NaBH₄ is confined within the pores of the sponge without visible liquid and the catalyst can be easily recycled after the reaction. A light weight, low cost and easy to use onsite H₂ generation system for portable fuel cells is developed using the monolithic sponge catalyst.