Flexible electrospun Co–Cu/PVDF-HFP catalysts for hydrogen generation from NaBH₄ methanolysis

This study explores the fabrication and application of Co 100-x –Cu x (x = 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100) bimetallic catalysts supported on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanofibers (PVHF NFs) for efficient H₂ generation via sodium borohydride (NaBH₄/SBH) methanolysis. The catalysts were synthesized using electrospinning, followed by in situ reduction, and their structural and morphological characteristics were confirmed using standard techniques. Catalytic performance was systematically evaluated under varying temperatures, catalyst doses, and SBH concentrations. The Co 60 Cu 40 catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity, significantly outperforming its monometallic counterparts. Kinetic studies revealed a pseudo-first-order reaction with an activation energy of 42.26 kJ/mol. The superior performance of the Co 60 Cu 40 catalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect between Co and Cu and the enhanced dispersion over the PVHF NF matrix. This study presents a promising method for designing flexible, high-performance, and cost-effective nanostructured catalysts for generating H₂ through the methanolysis of SBH.