A novel composition of AlLi/NaBH4 mixture activated by common Ni powder in water for hydrogen generation was investigated. The composition presents good hydrogen generation performance and an optimized Al-10% Li-10% Ni/NaBH4 mixture (mass ratio of 3:1) generates 1540 mL/g hydrogen with 96% efficiency at 333 K. Ni powder exhibits dual catalytic effects on the hydrolysis of AlLi/NaBH4 mixture due to the formation of Ni2B in the hydrolysis process. The Ni2B deposited on aluminum surface could act as a cathode of a micro galvanic couple. Ni2B/Al(OH)3 also has a synergistic effect on NaBH4 hydrolysis. Good hydrogen generation performance with stable pH value of hydrolysis byproduct Al(OH)3/NaBO2-2H2O was obtained with successive additions of Al-Li-Ni /NaBH4 mixture into fixed water.
Well-ordered TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) were fabricated by electrochemical anodization in a mixed organic electrolyte consisting of ethylene glycol and glycerol. The morphology, structure, crystalline phase, and photocatalytic properties of TNAs were characterized by using TEM, SEM, XRD and photodegradation of methylene blue. It was found that the morphology and structure of TNAs could be significantly influenced by the anodization time and applied voltage. The obtained tube length was found to be proportional to anodization time, and the calculated growth rate of nanotubes was 0.6 m/h. The microstructure analysis demonstrated that the diameter and thickness of the nanotubes increased with the increase of anodization voltage. The growth mechanism of TNAs was also proposed according to the observed relationship between current density and time during anodization. As expected, the obtained TNAs showed a higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial TiO 2 P25 nanoparticles.
WANG ChaoCHEN DaPING GuangXingLIU ShuHUANG XiaNiHUANG YueXiangSHU KangYingLI JingHong