LAUSR

Abstract Co–Ni–W–P catalysts were synthesised onto γ-Al2O3 by electroless deposition. The obtained Co–Ni–W–P/γ-Al2O3 were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic properties of Co–Ni–W–P/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride solution were investigated by varying Na2WO4 concentration, electroless deposition time, NaOH and NaBH4 concentrations as well as solution temperature. The results show that the Co–Ni–W–P/γ-Al2O3 catalysts obtained exhibit better catalytic activity than Co–Ni–P/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. Further, Co–Ni–W–P/γ-Al2O3 catalysts also exhibit favourable cycling performance and lower activation energy (49.19 kJ mol−1) for the hydrolysis process.