CoOx-supported RhCu alloy nano-materials as a highly efficient catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.

Hydrolytic dehydrogenation of Ammonia-borane (NH 3 BH 3 , abbreviation AB) has attracted much attention due to its high hydrogen content and stability. Therefore, the design and construction of low cost and high performance catalysts for AB hydrolysis are of great significance. In this work, a series of RhCu/CoO x alloy catalysts were prepared by a in-situ reduction method. The catalytic activity of hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB was optimized by regulating the molar ratio of Rh to Cu in the RhCu/CoO x catalysts. The results verify that Rh 1 Cu 2 /CoO x has the best catalytic activity for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB, and the corresponding hydrolysis reaction type was first order. The turnover frequency (TOF) reached 670.95 mol H 2 mol cat − 1 min−1, and the apparent activation energy (Ea) was 28.86 kJ mol−1, showing excellent catalytic performance for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB. The ultra-small RhCu alloy nanoparticles were synthesized Rh 1 Cu 2 /CoO x catalysts with a facile in-situ reduction method, showing the optimal catalytic performance for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. The corresponding turnover frequency (TOF) was 670.95 mol H 2 mol cat − 1 min−1, and the apparent activation energy (Ea) was only 28.86 kJ mol−1. [Display omitted] • RhCu alloys were successfully loaded onto CoO x carrier by in-situ reduction method. • Rh 1 Cu 2 /CoO x shows excellent catalytic performance for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB. • The high turnover frequency of 670.95 min−1 was achieved at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]