Hydrolysis of NH3BH3 and NaBH4 by graphene quantum dots-transition metal nanoparticles for highly effective hydrogen evolution

Recently, effective hydrogen (H-2) evolution upon hydrolysis of different hydrogen storage materials has received much attention. Herein, graphene quantum dots-transition metal nanoparticles (GQDs-TMNPs), with high dispersibility and activity, have been successfully applied in the hydrolysis of both NH3BH3 (AB) and NaBH4 for the first time. GQDs-RhNPs, GQDs-RuNPs, and GQDs-PtNPs are very effective in the hydrolysis of AB and the turnover frequencies (TOFs) can achieve to as high as 656, 384, and 281 mol(H2)center dot mol(cat)(-1) min(-1), respectively. Moreover, the synergistic effect between GQDs and TMNPs is explored, and the mechanisms of catalytic hydrolysis of AB and NaBH4 by GQDs-TMNPs are proposed. This work not only paves the way for the development of GQDs-TMNPs nanocatalysts for the different hydrogen storage materials, but also further advances the understanding of the synergistic effects between GQDs and TMNPs. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.