Catalyst Deactivation in Diborane Decomposition

Both thermal and catalytic decomposition of diborane resulting in borane as the main product were investigated under the pressure and temperature ranges of 2–15 bar and 100–300 °C, respectively over Al₂O₃ and Pt/Al₂O₃ in a fixed bed reactor. Catalytic decomposition rate was essentially higher than the thermal decomposition, however the catalyst deactivation was substantial.