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Abstract
Catalysts with various Ru loading, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 6%, for hydrogen generation by hydrolyzation of NaBH4 were prepared through replacement plating on nickel foam substrate. The kinetics of NaBH4 hydrolyzation in aqueous solution was a zero order reaction. The hydrogen generation rate became faster as Ru loading increased. When nickel foam surface was entirely covered with Ru, i.e. 6%, the catalyst became the most effective on decomposition of NaBH4. Comparing with the catalyst loaded on the ion exchanged resin beads, Ru loaded nickel foam was more stable and safer. NaBH4 decomposed more easily in 30% of aqueous solution than in 35% solution under the same catalyst loading. The addition of small amount of NaOH into the solution would promote the decomposition of NaBH4. Finally, energy calculation of NaBH4 aqueous solution was carried out and it was proved that a NaBH4-based hydrogen generator enables the target of hydrogen storage densities over 4% which may enable a micro proton exchange membrane fuel cell(µPEMFC) to be equal to or even better than Li-ion battery. A mobile phone powered by a prototype of a µPEMFC with such a small NaBH4-based H2 generator was demonstrated. This NaBH4 generator can be quickly refueled by simply filling the reservoir with fresh NaBH4 solution. Ru catalyst is reusable.
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