Promoted Mo incorporated Co–Ru–B catalyst for fast hydrolysis of NaBH4 in alkaline solutions

Quaternary alloyed catalyst of Mo incorporated Co–Ru–B has been synthesized with chemical reduction method using ethylene glycol solution. The effect of doped-Mo and the solvent in preparation process on morphology features which look like irregular nanoflowers and fish scales was observed. The performance of catalyst towards hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH4 solution for hydrogen generation depends on the Mo concentration. When the molar ratio χMo is up to 30%, the Mo incorporated Co–Ru–B catalyst synthesized in ethylene glycol have the highest catalytic activity of 8075 mL min−1 g−1, which is higher than that by some binary or ternary alloy catalysts in previous reports. The effects of NaOH and NaBH4 concentration as well as the reaction temperature on hydrolysis of NaBH4 by optimal Mo incorporated Co–Ru–B catalyst have also been studied. The activity energy was measured to be 48.8 kJ mol−1, which is lower than 64.87 kJ mol−1 obtained from pure Co–B catalyst.