Hydrogen generation from catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

A novel hydrogen generation (HG) method for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is developed. Carbon-supported platinum catalysts were synthesized by an impregnation method, and adopted to catalysis hydrolysis of NaBH4 solution. These catalysts exhibit excellent hydrogen generation rates and approximate 100% efficiencies. A HG system with 100 mg 20% Pt/C catalyst has the ability to supply a 299 W PEMFC. Specific surface of the support is not a crucial factor affecting the HG performances of the catalysts, while Pt loading, Pt particle size and size distribution, and micropore structure play important roles in hydrogen generation reactions.