Natural andesite as a sustainable catalyst for green hydrogen generation via NaBH4 methanolysis


Moussaoui M., Mohand Saidi K., Najri B. A., Lekoui A., Laouar R., Tlili A., ...Daha Fazla

International Journal of Green Energy, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/15435075.2026.2737952
  • Dergi Adı: International Journal of Green Energy
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Heterogeneous catalysis, hydrogen generation, low activation energy, green energy, methanolysis, natural andesite, sodium borohydride
  • Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Developing cost-effective, sustainable catalysts is vital to advancing green hydrogen production technologies. This study explores natural andesite volcanic rock for the first time as an efficient, “zero-synthesis” heterogeneous catalyst for sodium borohydride (NaBH4) methanolysis. Comprehensive compositional analyses confirmed a robust multi-mineral framework dominated by quartz, plagioclase, clay minerals, and trace pyrite. Systematic evaluation of operating parameters revealed distinct performance trends: hydrogen generation rates (HGR) increased with temperature due to enhanced thermal activation and collision dynamics, and scaled with reactant concentration up to an optimum threshold dictated by active-site availability. Conversely, excessive solvent volumes or catalyst loadings introduced mass-transfer constraints and particle agglomeration. Under optimized conditions (5 mg catalyst, 125 mg NaBH4, 4 mL methanol, 30 °C), natural andesite delivered an impressive HGR of 46.60 L.min-1.gcat-1 with a remarkably low activation energy of 18.33 kJ/mol, outperforming numerous engineered counterparts. Kinetic modeling supported a Langmuir-Hinshelwood, surface-assisted mechanism in which native mineral synergy facilitated methanol activation and hydride release. Despite moderate cyclic stability, retaining over 66% activity after five cycles due to minor surface passivation by methoxyborate residues, andesite stands as a robust, low-cost material for sustainable on-demand hydrogen generation.