Designing of Ag decorated ZnO catalyst for on-demand and sustainable H2 production at room temperature

Growing energy demand, expansion of population, and fast depletion of fossil fuels motivate the development of feasible and safe ways to store and supply sustainable energy. Hydrogen is regarded as a promising sustainable fuel for addressing global energy and environmental issues due to its high energy efficiency and negligible greenhouse gas emissions. However, hydrogen storage is considered as a stumbling block in the implementation of the hydrogen economy. In this regard, sodium borohydride (SB), a chemical metal hydride is one of the most auspicious material due to its high volumetric hydrogen density, low capital investment, and low potential risk. In the present investigation, Ag NPs decorated ZnO catalyst were prepared by a one-pot strategy in an ethylene glycol (EG) medium. All Ag-NPs decorated ZnO catalysts showed higher activity than pristine ZnO under dark conditions, whereas, flower-like Ag NPs decorated ZnO catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity for H2 generation from hydrolysis of SB. A maximum value of 123 mLg−1min-1 as the turnover frequency is obtained with 22 kJ mol−1 activation energy, which is comparable to well-known high-cost NPS like Pt, Pd, and Ru. The prepared sample exhibited good reusability and 100% conversion even after the 5th cycle.