Metal-free catalyst fabrication by incorporating oxygen groups on the surface of the carbonaceous sample and efficient hydrogen production from NaBH4 methanolysis

In the present study, metal-free catalysts for efficient H-2 generation from NaBH4 methanolysis was produced for the first time from apricot kernel shells with two-step activation. The first stage of the two-stage activation includes the production of activated carbon with the KOH agent (AKOH), and the second stage includes hydrothermally HNO3 activation with oxygen doping (O doped AKOH + N). The hydrogen production rate (HGR) and the activation energy (Ea) of the reaction with the obtained metal-free catalyst (10 mg) were determined as 14,444 ml min(-1) g(-1) and 7.86 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The structural and physical-chemical properties of these catalysts were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), elemental CHNS analysis, FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Also, the reusability results of this metal-free catalyst for H-2 production are promising. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.