Advanced Nb-Based MOF-Supported Co/Pt Nanocatalyst for Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Sodium Borohydride.

Expanding renewable energy sources is essential for global decarbonization. Hydrogen (H2) is a clean energy carrier, but its storage remains challenging. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is attractive due to its high hydrogen content; however, its hydrolysis is kinetically slow and requires catalysts. In this study, a niobium-based Metal-Organic Framework, Nb-(PDC)-(BTC), where PDC is pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate and BTC is benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, was synthesized and used as a support for cobalt-platinum nanoparticles (Co-Pt NP) formed in situ. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed ligand coordination, X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated the crystalline phase, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed good thermal stability. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area reached 1839.63 m2/g. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed rough crystalline morphology and well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles anchored to the support. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) verified the presence of Nb, Co, and Pt. The catalyst achieved a hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 3214 mL min-1 g-1 under optimal conditions (0.5 mmol of Co60Pt40 on 10 mg of Nb-(PDC)-(BTC); NaBH4 0.500 mol L-1 in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 0.100 mol L-1 at 301.15 K), with an activation energy of 17.45 kJ mol-1, demonstrating strong potential for sustainable H2 production.