Thermodynamic and Kinetic Performance of Highly Efficient ZnO/Co@f-MWCNT Catalysts for Hydrogen Production

The use of catalysts is one of the most important parameters in producing hydrogen energy. Zinc-oxide/cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical methods and doped on f-MWCNT (ZnO/Co@f-MWCNT NPs) as a supporting material. Various characterization techniques were used to examine the structural and morphological properties of the synthesized nanoparticles (ZnO/Co@f-MWCNT NPs). According to the XRD characterization results, the average crystal particle size of NPs was calculated as 2.10 nm, and according to TEM analysis, the average particle size was calculated to be 2.24 ± 0.5 nm. The catalytic activity of ZnO/Co@f-MWCNT NPs toward hydrogen production was determined using NaBH4 as the hydrogen source. Studies were carried out on how the catalytic activity of ZnO/Co@f-MWCNT NPs would vary in different parameters. The average reusability performance achieved after 4 cycles for hydrogen production is 89%. Turnover frequency (TOF) according to catalytic activity, activation energy (Ea), enthalpy (∆H), and entropy (∆S) were found to be 2467.4 min−1, 16.36 kj/mol, 13.79 kj/mol and -122.8 J/mol.K, respectively. This study provides guidance for hydrogen production, and other energy studies, and supporting agents in the future.