Fast H2 production from NaBH4 methanolysis catalyzed by resveratrol at low temperatures: low apparent activation energy and superior recyclability

In this study, natural polyphenolic compounds (including resveratrol, naringenin, hesperetin, and tea polyphenol) were employed as catalysts for hydrogen production from methanolysis of NaBH 4 , and the reaction conditions were systematically investigated. The effects of catalyst type, NaBH 4 concentration, catalyst dosage, and reaction temperature on the catalytic performance were examined individually. The results demonstrated that resveratrol exhibited the best catalytic activity. At 25 °C, with 0.05 g of resveratrol as the catalyst for methanolysis of 0.1 g NaBH 4 , the hydrogen generation rate (HGR) reached up to 3926 mL H 2 g cat −1 min −1 . Even at -25 °C, the HGR value could reach 420 mL H 2 g cat −1 min −1 , indicating favorable low-temperature catalytic performance. The activation energy for methanolysis of NaBH 4 catalyzed by resveratrol was calculated to be 25.69 kJ mol −1 over the temperature range of -25 to 15 °C. Reusability and regeneration tests showed that the catalyst retained high activity after five consecutive cycles.