Enhanced catalytic activity of the nanostructured Co–W–B film catalysts for hydrogen evolution from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane

Abstract

In this work, nanostructured Co–W–B films are successfully synthesized on the foam sponge by electroless plating method and employed as the catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) at room temperature. The particle size of the as-prepared Co–W–B film catalysts is varied by adjusting the depositional pH value to identify the most suitable particle size for hydrogen evolution of AB hydrolysis. The Co–W–B film catalyst with the particle size of about 67.3 nm shows the highest catalytic activity and can reach a hydrogen generation rate of 3327.7 mL min−1 gcat−1 at 298 K. The activation energy of the hydrolysis reaction of AB is determined to be 32.2 kJ mol−1. Remarkably, the as-obtained Co–W–B film is also a reusable catalyst preserving 78.4% of their initial catalytic activity even after 5 cycles in hydrolysis of AB at room temperature. Thus, the enhanced catalytic activity illustrates that the Co–W–B film is a promising catalyst for AB hydrolytic dehydrogenation in fuel cells and the related fields.