Novel high dispersion and high stability cobalt-inlaid carbon sphere catalyst for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

•Cobalt-inlaid carbon sphere catalysts have been synthesized via a one-step co-pyrolysis method for the first time.•Highly dispersed cobalt particles are evenly embedded in the carbon spheres.•The Co@C-462-145 catalyst exhibits high activity with low activation energy.•The Co@C-462-145 catalyst reveals excellent durability for NaBH4 hydrolysis.