Natural microgranular cellulose as alternative catalyst to metal nanoparticles for H-2 production from NaBH4 methanolysis

Herein, we report the utilization of microgranular cellulose as a catalyst in virgin and in modified form to be used as metal free catalyst directly in methanolysis reaction of NaBH4 for hydrogen (H-2) production. Cellulose was modified with epichlorohydrin and then with diethylenetriamine as Cell-EPC-DETA followed by protonation by hydrochloric acid treatment to obtain Cell-EPC-DETA-HCI. The hydrogen generation rates (HGR) of 408 and 2015 mL H-2/g catalyst min were estimated for bare cellulose, and Cell-EPC-DETA, respectively upon their use as catalysts in the methanolysis reaction of NaBH4. Interestingly, HGR value is almost increased 1.6 fold increased, 3215 mL H-2/(g catalyst min) upon potations. Besides, the activation energies of Cell-EPC-DETA and Cell-EPC-DETA-HCI were determined as 38.2 and 34.4 kJ/mol, respectively that are comparable with the literature. Moreover, the reusability studies of Cell-EPC-DETA and Cell-EPC-DETA-HCI were performed and it was found that there is no decreasing on% conversion for both catalyst, whereas % activity decreased to 61 +/- 6, and 65 +/- 4% for Cell-EPC-DETA and Cell-EPC-DETA-HCl. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.