Preparation of different thin film catalysts by direct current magnetron sputtering for hydrogen generation

Authors: GAMZE BOZKURT, ABDULKADİR ÖZER, AYŞE BAYRAKÇEKEN YURTCAN

Abstract: In this study, thin films of Co, Ni, Pd, and Pt were prepared on Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$ support material in pellet form using the direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering method for use as catalysts for hydrogen generation from NaBH4.Characterization of the catalysts was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). According to cross-sectional SEM images, catalyst thicknesses were observed in the range of approximately 115.3-495.8 nm. The particle sizes were approximately 25.0, 21.4, 33.9, and 9.5 nm for Ni-Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$, Co-Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$, Pd-Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$, and Pt-Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$ catalysts, respectively. The increase in NaOH initial concentration provides an increase in the rate of hydrogen generation for Co, Ni, and Pd catalysts. A maximum hydrogen generation rate of 1653 mL/g$_{cat}$.min was obtained for the Pt-Co$_{3}$O$_{4}$ catalyst.

Keywords: Direct current magnetron sputtering, hydrogen generation, sodium borohydride, catalyst

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