Highly efficient CoB catalyst using a support material based on Spirulina microalgal strain treated with ZnCl 2 for hydrogen generation via sodium borohydride methanolysis

Summary In the study, a different support material based on ZnCl 2 ‐treated Spirulina microalgal strain (SSMS‐ZnCl 2 ) was prepared. Then, the SSMS‐ZnCl 2 ‐CoB catalysts were used as a very efficient catalyst to produce hydrogen via the SB methanolysis. The SB concentration, Co metal percentage in the supported‐catalyst, ZnCl 2 concentration, ZnCl 2 impregnation time, temperature, and reusability experiments were performed. The maximum hydrogen generation rates (HGR) for the SSMS‐ZnCl 2 ‐CoB at 30°C and 60°C were found to be 9266 and 36 366 mL min −1  g cat −1 , respectively. In addition, TOF values for 30°C and 60°C were calculated 33 and 110 L·mol H2 ·mol Co −1 ·min −1 for the methanolysis of SB with SSMS‐ZnCl 2 ‐CoB catalyst. The activation energy was 31.13 kJ mol −1 . The reusability experiments were repeated five times under the same conditions. The almost 100% conversion was obtained at each use. XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM‐EDX, and ICP‐MS analysis were performed for SSMS‐ZnCl 2 ‐CoB characterization.