Hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride using microreactor for micro fuel cells

A microreactor for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride was designed and fabricated in the present study. The microreactor has three photosensitive glasses, including the cover, the reactor layer and the base. A nickel form was inserted in the reactor layer as a catalyst support. A Co–P–B catalyst for sodium borohydride hydrolysis was coated on the nickel form by electroless plating. The characteristics of the catalyst were studied using SEM and EDS analysis. The hydrogen generation rate of the microreactor was measured under a variety of conditions and made up 15.6 ml/min at a temperature of 40 °C. The generated hydrogen was supplied to a micro fuel cell with a maximum power output of 157 mW at a current of 0.5 A.