Highly efficient hydrogen production by hydrolysis of NaBH4 using eminently competent recyclable Fe2O3 decorated oxidized MWCNTs robust catalyst

Abstract The world's growth mainly depends on energy consumption. Fossil fuel is the major contributor for primary energy consumption and is raising severe environmental concerns. Hydrogen energy can prove to be a greener replacement for future energy requirements. In the present work, we present eminently competent recyclable magnetically active iron oxide nanoparticles supported on functionalized carbon nanotubes hybrid nano structures which are used for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for hydrogen generation. A very simple reaction process is used to synthesize the catalyst. Especially, oxidized carbon nanotubes are used for uniform anchoring of iron oxide nanoparticles on the surface of oxidized carbon nanotubes and achieved successfully using modified technique under nitrogen condition. Instead of neat carbon nanotubes, the oxidized carbon nano tubes containing oxidized functional groups help to produce additional interaction with the iron precursor, which eventually leads to uniform distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles on oxidized carbon nanotubes. The prepared catalysts are then characterized by using modern analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Subsequently, the catalytic activity of prepared catalysts is determined in hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The catalyst (0.037 g) demonstrated high catalytic activity towards hydrogen generation reaction and produced 1368 mL of hydrogen in just 140 min reaction time at room temperature. The catalyst not only shows high efficiency but also reveals lower activation energy of 15.92 kJ mol−1 compared to literature reported values. Meanwhile, the effect of various parameters such as temperature, catalyst loading, effect of base and the effect of reducing agent concentration are also determined. After the reaction, magnetically separated catalyst is tested for its recyclability. The catalyst can be recycled up to five successive cycles without significant loss in yield, morphology and physiochemical property.