Nitrogen-doped carbon encapsulated Ru-decorated Co2P supported on graphene oxide as efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Abstract

Developing high-performance hydrogen generation/storage materials and technologies is an essential step for applying hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells under the background of carbon peak and carbon neutralization strategy. Ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) features a high volumetric and gravimetric density of hydrogen, showing great potential for chemical hydrogen storage. Exploring low-cost and high-efficiency catalysts is an essential prerequisite for hydrogen generation through AB hydrolysis under mild conditions. Herein, with rationally designing Ru/Co metal-organic framework (RuCo-MOF), a series of Co2P nanoparticles doping with low-content Ru embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon supported on graphene oxide (Ru-Co2P@N-C/GO) were synthesized via a one-pot phosphorization process. Benefiting from the unique structure and the electronic structure regulation of Ru, Ru-Co2P@N-C/GO exhibits excellent catalytic performance with an original turnover frequency (TOF) of 347.3 molH2 molRu–1 min–1 and an excellent specific rate (rB) of 83,929 mL min–1 gRu–1 toward AB hydrolysis. This work opens a new avenue toward developing effective and economic catalysts for AB hydrolysis.