Atomic strategy to boost the solar heating ammonia decomposition of cobalt-based catalyst

Solar heating catalysis can solve the massively fossil energy consumption of ammonia decomposition to produce carbon-free hydrogen energy. Efficient and non-noble catalysts have always been the pursuit in solar heating ammonia decomposition. Herein, Co single atoms supported on CeO2 nanosheets (SA Co/CeO2) are synthesized and show the 29.1 mmol g-1 min-1 of H2 production rate from ammonia decomposition at 450 degrees C, which is 291 times higher than the corresponding Co nanoparticles and equivalent to the noble metal catalysts. Theoretical calculations illustrate that the SA Co/CeO2 can effectively reduce the energy barrier of nitrogen binding in ammonia decomposition, beneficial to the progress of ammonia decomposition reaction. The SA Co/CeO2 makes solar heating ammonia decomposition exhibit a stable H2 generation rate of 2.7 mmol g-1 min-1 under 2 suns irradiation, 572 times higher than the weak sunlight-driven ammonia decomposition, and the produced hydrogen can direct drive hydrogen fuel cell without any purification. This discovery not only opens a new route to develop ultra-active catalysts for ammonia decomposition but also demonstrates the potential of solar driven hydrogen fuel cell.