CoP nanoarray: a robust non-noble-metal hydrogen-generating catalyst toward effective hydrolysis of ammonia borane

Abstract

Ammonia borane (AB) has been regarded as a promising candidate for chemical hydrogen storage but needs an efficient catalyst for hydrolytic hydrogen generation. In this communication, a CoP nanoarray in situ grown on a Ti mesh (CoP NA/Ti) is reported as a robust non-noble-metal catalyst for effective hydrogen generation from AB hydrolysis. The initial turnover frequency and activation energy of CoP NA/Ti for AB hydrolysis are 42.8 mol_H2 mol_CoP⁻¹ min⁻¹ and 34.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, this catalyst shows only 0.15% loss in catalytic activity after 10 cycles and its easy separation nature from fuel solution enables its attractive use as an on/off switch toward on-demand hydrogen generation. The amazing catalytic activity and high durability of such a catalyst are attributed to the fact that the 3D nanoarray configuration not only allows for more efficient diffusion of the fuel and hydrogen gas but favors the exposure of more active sites, and on the other hand, in situ growth of CoP on a Ti mesh also ensures strong adhesion between them.