Efficient Synthesis of Sodium Borohydride: Balancing Reducing Agents with Intrinsic Hydrogen Source in Hydrated Borax

Zhu, Y; Ouyang, L; Zhong, H; Liu, J; Wang, H; Shao, H; Huang, Z; Zhu, M

Efficient Synthesis of Sodium Borohydride: Balancing Reducing Agents with Intrinsic Hydrogen Source in Hydrated Borax

Zhu, Y Ouyang, L Zhong, H Liu, J Wang, H Shao, H Huang, Z

Zhu, M

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Publisher:: AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2020, 8, (35), pp. 13449-13458
Issue Date:: 2020-09-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Zhu, Y
dc.contributor.author	Ouyang, L
dc.contributor.author	Zhong, H
dc.contributor.author	Liu, J
dc.contributor.author	Wang, H
dc.contributor.author	Shao, H
dc.contributor.author	Huang, Z https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1985-0884
dc.contributor.author	Zhu, M
dc.date.accessioned	2020-12-26T22:07:21Z
dc.date.available	2020-12-26T22:07:21Z
dc.date.issued	2020-09-08
dc.identifier.citation	ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2020, 8, (35), pp. 13449-13458
dc.identifier.issn	2168-0485
dc.identifier.issn	2168-0485
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144956
dc.description.abstract	© 2020 American Chemical Society. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been identified as one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials; however, it is still challenging to produce NaBH4 with low cost and high efficiency, which are largely determined by the sources of boron and hydrogen and reducing agents used. Herein, we report an economical method to produce NaBH4 by ball milling hydrated borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O and/or Na2B4O7·5H2O) with different reducing agents such as MgH2, Mg, and NaH under ambient conditions. The direct use of natural hydrated borax avoids the dehydration process (at 600 °C) and consequently reduces cost and improves overall energy efficiency. A high yield of 93.1% can be achieved for a short ball mill duration (3.5 h) for Na2B4O7·5H2O-NaH-MgH2 system. In this system, H2 is generated in situ which subsequently reacts with Mg forming MgH2. Low cost Mg is therefore employed to replace the majority of MgH2, leading to an attractive yield of 78.6%. To further reduce the cost of raw materials and improve the utilization of hydrogen source in the hydrated borax, Na2B4O7·10H2O is used to partially substitute for Na2B4O7·5H2O, leading to a complete replacement of MgH2. Compared with literature results, the optimized recipe features low cost and high efficiency since it utilizes hydrogen from the hydrated water in natural borax and avoids high temperatures. Our finding is expected to facilitate applications of NaBH4 for hydrogen storage.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	AMER CHEMICAL SOC
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP170101773
dc.relation.ispartof	ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c04354
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0301 Analytical Chemistry, 0502 Environmental Science and Management, 0904 Chemical Engineering
dc.title	Efficient Synthesis of Sodium Borohydride: Balancing Reducing Agents with Intrinsic Hydrogen Source in Hydrated Borax
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	8
utslib.for	0301 Analytical Chemistry
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2020-12-26T22:06:58Z
pubs.issue	35
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	8
utslib.citation.issue	35

Abstract:

© 2020 American Chemical Society. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been identified as one of the most promising hydrogen storage materials; however, it is still challenging to produce NaBH4 with low cost and high efficiency, which are largely determined by the sources of boron and hydrogen and reducing agents used. Herein, we report an economical method to produce NaBH4 by ball milling hydrated borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O and/or Na2B4O7·5H2O) with different reducing agents such as MgH2, Mg, and NaH under ambient conditions. The direct use of natural hydrated borax avoids the dehydration process (at 600 °C) and consequently reduces cost and improves overall energy efficiency. A high yield of 93.1% can be achieved for a short ball mill duration (3.5 h) for Na2B4O7·5H2O-NaH-MgH2 system. In this system, H2 is generated in situ which subsequently reacts with Mg forming MgH2. Low cost Mg is therefore employed to replace the majority of MgH2, leading to an attractive yield of 78.6%. To further reduce the cost of raw materials and improve the utilization of hydrogen source in the hydrated borax, Na2B4O7·10H2O is used to partially substitute for Na2B4O7·5H2O, leading to a complete replacement of MgH2. Compared with literature results, the optimized recipe features low cost and high efficiency since it utilizes hydrogen from the hydrated water in natural borax and avoids high temperatures. Our finding is expected to facilitate applications of NaBH4 for hydrogen storage.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144956