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Cu x Co 1− x O Nanoparticles on Graphene Oxide as A Synergistic Catalyst for High‐Efficiency Hydrolysis of Ammonia–Borane
Author(s) -
Feng Kun,
Zhong Jun,
Zhao Binhua,
Zhang Hui,
Xu Lai,
Sun Xuhui,
Lee ShuitTong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201604021
Subject(s) - ammonia borane , catalysis , x ray absorption spectroscopy , graphene , noble metal , oxide , hydrolysis , inorganic chemistry , nanoparticle , chemistry , hydrogen production , hydrogen , hydrogen storage , materials science , absorption spectroscopy , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
Ammonia–borane (AB) is an excellent material for chemical storage of hydrogen. However, the practical utilization of AB for production of hydrogen is hindered by the need of expensive noble metal‐based catalysts. Here, we report Cu x Co 1− x O nanoparticles (NPs) facilely deposited on graphene oxide (GO) as a low‐cost and high‐performance catalyst for the hydrolysis of AB. This hybrid catalyst exhibits an initial total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 70.0 (H 2 ) mol/(Cat‐metal) mol⋅min, which is the highest TOF ever reported for noble metal‐free catalysts, and a good stability keeping 94 % activity after 5 cycles. Synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigations suggested that the high catalytic performance could be attributed to the interfacial interaction between Cu x Co 1− x O NPs and GO. Moreover, the catalytic hydrolysis mechanism was studied by in situ XAS experiments for the first time, which reveal a significant water adsorption on the catalyst and clearly confirm the interaction between AB and the catalyst during hydrolysis.