Open AccessA Catalytic Copper/Cobalt Oxide Interface for Efficient Hydrogen Generation
Author(s) -
Xu Wenjing,
Zhang Sheli,
Shen Ruofan,
Peng Zhikun,
Liu Baozhong,
Li Jun,
Zhang Zhanying,
Li Baojun
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
energy and environmental materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2575-0356
DOI - 10.1002/eem2.12279
Subject(s) - ammonia borane , catalysis , nanoparticle , copper , cobalt , materials science , cobalt oxide , metal , chemical engineering , raman spectroscopy , oxide , molecule , hydrogen production , inorganic chemistry , density functional theory , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , computational chemistry , physics , optics , engineering , metallurgy
Metal nanoparticles and metal oxides promisingly provide different catalytic active sites at their interfaces. Constructing high‐density interfaces is essential to maximize synergies. Herein, a Cu–Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles interfacial structure produced via pyrolysis and moderate oxidation from metal‐organic frameworks has been designed to boost the intrinsic activity. The Cu–Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles composites exhibit a turnover frequency of 57.5 min −1 for ammonia borane hydrolysis, far higher than those of monometallic Cu and Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles, showing the synergistic effect of Cu and Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles at their interface. Density functional theory calculations and in situ Raman spectroscopy reveal the catalytic mechanism of dual active sites, in which Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles at Cu–Co 3 O 4 interface efficiently bind and activate water molecules and Cu nanoparticles easily activate NH 3 BH 3 molecules. This study opens up a new pathway for achieving high‐efficiency noble metal‐free catalysts for hydrogen generation and other heterogeneous catalysis.