Saka, CaferBalbay, Asim2024-12-242024-12-2420220360-31991879-3487https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.12.070https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12604/6571In 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.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessApricot kernel shellsMetal-free catalystOxygen dopingSodium borohydride methanolysisHydrogenArticle471172427251Q1WOS:000748997900005Q12-s2.0-8512209992210.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.12.070