High-performance solid catalysts for H2 generation from ammonia borane: progress through synergetic Cu–Ni interactions

Abstract

Chemical hydrogen storage materials, in particular B–N compounds such as ammonia-borane (AB), with a potential storage capacity of 19.6 wt% H₂ and 0.145 kg H₂ l⁻¹ have been regarded as potential solutions for addressing H₂ storage issues. In this work, we report the exceedingly high catalytic performance of easily prepared bi-component CuO–NiO catalysts for the H₂ evolution from ammonia-borane in aqueous solution. These non-noble metal catalysts could be synthesized either by simple thermal treatment of a physical mixture of the metal precursors or through an improved hard templating method. This work clearly shows that metal precursors, composition, and heat treatment conditions have a profound influence on the synergetic interaction existing between Cu species and NiO, which is decisive in accelerating the hydrogen evolution of AB. Therefore, the present finding demonstrates that combinations of non-noble metals can provide viable approaches for the development of practical catalysts.