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

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 mol(H2) mol(Ru)(-1) min(-1) and an excellent specific rate (r(B)) of 83,929 mL min(-1) g(Ru)(-1) toward AB hydrolysis. This work opens a new avenue toward developing effective and economic catalysts for AB hydrolysis. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.