Method for generating hydrogen using Bi2O3@SiO2 nanocomposite catalyst

Abstract

A method of hydrogen (H2) generation includes hydrolyzing a borohydride salt in an aqueous solution including a catalyst to form gaseous hydrogen. The catalyst is a bismuth(III) oxide-doped silicon dioxide with an amount of bismuth(III) oxide from 2 wt. % to 12 wt. % based on a total weight of the bismuth(III) oxide-doped silicon dioxide. The bismuth(III) oxide is dispersed in silicon dioxide in the catalyst. The weight ratio of the catalyst to the borohydride salt present in the aqueous solution is from 0.1:2 to 7:1 and a rate of hydrolysis of the borohydride salt in the presence of the catalyst is 2 to 3 times greater than a rate of hydrolysis of the borohydride salt in the absence of the catalyst.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.