Cheng-Hong Liu1, Bing-Hung Chen1, Chan-Li Hsueh2, Jie-Ren Ku2, Ming-Shan Jeng3, and Fanghei Tsau3. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan, (2) New Energy Technology Division, Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan County, 73445, Taiwan, (3) Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, 195 Chung Hsing Rd., Sec. 4, Chu Tung, Hsin-Chu County, 31040, Taiwan
Magnetic Ni-Ru/50WX8 catalysts are synthesized with combined methods of conventional chemical reduction method and electroless deposition. Catalysts can be easily recycled with magnets owing to their intrinsic ferromagnetism. Thus, it is convenient to separate catalysts from spent NaBH4 solution for further recycling. Effect of temperature on catalyst performance is less significant at higher temperature, which is beneficial to devices without good regulations on temperature. A rate of hydrogen evolution as high as 150 ml•min-1•g-1 could be reached at 25°C, which, equivalently, can generate 15 W of power through a PEMFC. Different variables that affect the rate of hydrogen production are investigated. Activation energy of hydrogen generation using such catalysts is estimated at about 52.73 kJ•mol-1.