Performance of g-C3N4 nanoparticles by EDTA modification and protonation for hydrogen release from sodium borohydride methanolysis

Here, for the first time, a metal-free catalyst was synthesized by ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) modification of the carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) sample and protonation of the obtained sample. The catalyst was used for the production of H₂ from the methanolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). The EDTA modification and protonation of the g-C₃N₄ sample was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and TEM analyses. During the hydrogen generation, NaBH₄ concentration effect, catalyst amount effect, temperature effect and catalyst reusability were investigated. The HGR value obtained with 2.5% NaBH₄ using 10 mg catalyst was 7571 mL min^?1g^?1. The activation energy (Ea) for the g–C₃N₄–EDTA-H catalyst was found to be 32.2 kJ mol^?1 The reusability of the g–C₃N₄–EDTA-H catalyst shows a catalytic performance of 72% even after its fifth use.