Fabrication of Nano Pt–Co–Cu Sites in the Heterostructured Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation

Ammonia borane hydrolysis for hydrogen production is considered as one of the most promising methods in the energy field. Rational design of both efficient and cost-effective catalysts for hydrogen generation is desirable but is still a challenge. Herein, we constructed interfacial Pt–Co–Cu sites in nanocatalysts for boosting hydrogen generation from ammonia borane hydrolysis. The ultrafine Pt nanoparticles were well dispersed on the CoCu-NC support, which was prepared by using the Cu-modified ZIF-67. The synergistic effects of multiple sites are responsible for the activation of H2O and NH3BH3 molecules, which improved the catalytic activity in ammonia borane hydrolysis reaction. The effects of Pt and Cu loadings on the catalytic activity were investigated, and the dynamics data of the dehydrogenation reaction were also measured. The turnover frequency (TOF) value of the optimized catalyst is as high as 1636.28 min–1 at 298 K with addition of 0.44 M NaOH, and the prepared catalysts also presented the excellent recycling performance. This work provided a prospect to design heterostructured nanocatalysts for efficiently improving the hydrogen generation rate.