Hydrogen generation method

Abstract

The invention provides a hydrogen generation method comprising the step of bringing, in the presence of water, ammonia borane represented by the chemical formula: NH 3 BH 3 into contact with (1) a catalyst comprising as an active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal catalysts and metal compound catalysts; (2) a solid acid; or (3) carbon dioxide. The method of the invention can generate hydrogen gas for use as fuel for fuel cells, etc., under controllable conditions without heating a starting material at high-temperature, and moreover can efficiently generate hydrogen gas at low cost.

1 . A hydrogen generation method comprising: 
 bringing ammonia borane represented by the chemical formula: NH 3 BH 3  into contact with at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of metal catalysts and metal compound catalysts in the presence of water.    
   
   
       2 . The hydrogen generation method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is at least one member selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, rhodium and compounds containing at least one of the above metals.  
   
   
       3 . A hydrogen generation method comprising: 
 bringing ammonia borane represented by the chemical formula: NH 3 BH 3  into contact with a supported metal catalyst in the presence of water, the supported metal catalyst comprising at least one metal component selected from the group consisting of elements of Group 8, elements of Group 9, elements of Group 10 and elements of Group 11 of the periodic table supported on an inorganic oxide carrier.    
   
   
       4 . The hydrogen generation method according to  claim 3 , wherein the supported metal catalyst comprises at least one metal component selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, cobalt and copper supported on an inorganic oxide carrier.  
   
   
       5 . The hydrogen generation method according to  claim 3 , wherein the inorganic oxide carrier is at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania and zirconia.  
   
   
       6 . A hydrogen generation method comprising: 
 bringing ammonia borane represented by the chemical formula: NH 3 BH 3  into contact with a solid acid in the presence of water.    
   
   
       7 . The hydrogen generation method according to  claim 6 , wherein the solid acid is at least one member selected from the group consisting of H-type zeolites and polymer compounds having sulfonic acid groups.  
   
   
       8 . A hydrogen generation method comprising: 
 bringing ammonia borane represented by the chemical formula: NH 3 BH 3  into contact with carbon dioxide in the presence of water.    
   
   
       9 . A hydrogen supply method comprising: 
 supplying the hydrogen generated by the method of  claim 1  to a fuel cell.    
   
   
       10 . A hydrogen supply method comprising: 
 supplying the hydrogen generated by the method of  claim 3  to a fuel cell.    
   
   
       11 . A hydrogen supply method comprising: 
 supplying the hydrogen generated by the method of  claim 6  to a fuel cell.    
   
   
       12 . A hydrogen supply method comprising: 
 supplying the hydrogen generated by the method of  claim 8  to a fuel cell.