High-Efficiency and Fast Hydrogen Production from Sodium Borohydride: The Role of Adipic Acid in Hydrolysis, Methanolysis and Ethanolysis Reactions

In this study, hydrogen production through the hydrolysis, ethanolysis, and methanolysis reactions of NaBH₄ using adipic acid as a catalyst was investigated for the first time. Adipic acid solutions were prepared with methanol and ethanol at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 M. In these reactions, NaBH₄-MR (methanolysis) and NaBH₄-ER (ethanolysis) reactions were carried out at 30, 40, and 50 °C with NaBH₄ concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 5%. Hydrolysis reactions (NaBH₄-HR) were conducted at 0.1 M under the same conditions. In the ethanolysis and methanolysis reactions at 30 °C, total hydrogen conversion was achieved at 0.3 M, 0.4 M, and 0.5 M. However, in the hydrolysis reactions, total hydrogen production was only obtained at 50 °C. It was observed that in the NaBH₄-MR and NaBH₄-ER reactions, total hydrogen conversion could be achieved within 4-5 s. The utilization of adipic acid as a catalyst for hydrogen production from NaBH₄ through ethanolysis and methanolysis reactions is proposed as a highly efficient and fast method, characterized by impressive conversion rates.