Sponged Structured Silica Containing Cobalt Oxide as Catalyst for Hydrolysis of Water Solution of Sodium Borohydride

Micro structured silica containing cobalt oxide materials was prepared by the calcination of silica containing cobalt salicylaldimine complexes. The SEM image showed that the prepared materials from higher content of cobalt salicylaldimine complexes had sponge-like structured. The IR and DR UV-Vis, spectra confirmed the presence of different species of cobalt oxide in materials originated from higher contain of the complex, which is attributed as Co3O4. The Co3O4 was believed as active species in catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The catalytic testing also showed that the material originated from higher content of complex generated much higher hydrogen gas compare to the lower ones.