Beyond Hydrolysis: Scalable, On-Demand Dihydrogen Release from NaBH4 Enables Circular and Sustainable Process Design

Pier W. Wessels; Caroline J. Verhoef; Florenz Buß; Valentin Geiger; G. Bas de Jong; Tim Wesselingh; Philip Germanacos; J. Chris Slootweg

doi:10.1055/a-2508-2332

Sustainability & Circularity NOW, Inhaltsverzeichnis

CC BY 4.0 · Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a25082332
DOI: 10.1055/a-2508-2332

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Beyond Hydrolysis: Scalable, On-Demand Dihydrogen Release from NaBH₄ Enables Circular and Sustainable Process Design

Pier W. Wessels

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

Caroline J. Verhoef

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

Florenz Buß

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

Valentin Geiger

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

G. Bas de Jong

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

Tim Wesselingh

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

Philip Germanacos

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

,

J. Chris Slootweg

¹Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands

› Institutsangaben

Abstract

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Abstract

Hydrogen storage in its elemental form poses significant safety and economic challenges. Metal hydrides, particularly sodium borohydride, offer a promising alternative because of their superior safety profiles and enhanced transportability. This study presents a scalable hydrogen release system based on sodium borohydride and commercially available alcohols and acids. The system enables rapid, controlled hydrogen generation, achieving quantitative yields. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to propose a mechanism for the alcoholysis of NaBH₄ with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and acid present. It was demonstrated that the reaction proceeds via isopropoxy-substituted borane derivatives BH_(3−n)(O ⁱ Pr) _n (for n = 0, 1, 2, 3), which can form Lewis acid–base adducts with IPA. These Lewis acid–base adducts serve as reaction complexes for σ-bond metathesis, upon which an equivalent of hydrogen gas is released. Notably, the spent fuel can be regenerated to sodium borohydride using established chemical reactions, ensuring the system's sustainability and applicability for larger-scale hydrogen production.

Keywords

Hydrogen storage - NaBH₄ - Energy transition - Alcoholysis - Semi-alcoholysis

Bibliographical Record
Pier W. Wessels, Caroline J. Verhoef, Florenz Buß, Valentin Geiger, G. Bas de Jong, Tim Wesselingh, Philip Germanacos, J. Chris Slootweg. Beyond Hydrolysis: Scalable, On-Demand Dihydrogen Release from NaBH₄ Enables Circular and Sustainable Process Design. Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a25082332.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2508-2332

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Referenzen

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