Nanocarbon as Catalyst Support for Fuel Hydrogen Generation by Hydrolysis of Sodium Borohydride

Climate change-related disasters have occurred worldwide due to the exhaustive use of fossil fuels. One promising fuel alternative is hydrogen (H2), which has a high energy potential (1.42 × 108 J Kg−1) and is considered the future fuel. However, its storage processes, such as gas compression or liquefaction are still unfeasible due to its low density and boiling point. Inorganic hydrides such as sodium borohydride (NaBH4) can be used as storage systems, but the hydrolysis reaction needed to release H2 is slow and requires catalysts. In this sense, several recent research efforts have been made to propose heterogeneous catalysts based on metallic nanoparticles anchored in different support materials for the generation of H2. Special emphasis can be given to nanocarbon as a support for nanostructured catalysts, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and biochar obtained from biomass, considering the availability of these materials, high surface area, and versatility in terms of functionalization. This book chapter provides a review of recent advances in the use of metallic nanocatalysts supported by nanocarbon to generate fuel hydrogen from NaBH4, detailing aspects related to the synthesis, characterization, and application of the materials. Future perspectives on the use of these catalysis systems are also addressed.