NiPdMo nanoparticles reduced by Cs[closo-B6H7] as high-performance catalysts for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of ammonia borane

The synthesis of efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) is a matter of critical importance and immediate necessity, as it is currently considered a promising approach for the production of hydrogen. The synergy of interactions between different metals has been widely applied in the hydrolysis of AB. In this work, we first applied Cs [closo-B6H7] as the reductant to prepare a series of NixPdyMoz NPs catalysts using a simple in-situ reduction method. The structural and physical chemical properties of the as-prepared catalysts are investigated employing a multitude of various characterizations. Utilizing the optimal catalyst Ni0·3Pd0·7Mo0.2 NPs, AB hydrolysis can be completed at room temperature in just 21 s. This catalyst exhibits a lower activation energy (Ea = 52.3 kJ mol−1) and relatively higher activity (TOF = 252.7 mmolH2·mmolmetal−1min−1), which greatly outperforms many previously reported similar or corresponding catalysts. The enhancement in catalytic activity is ascribed to the moderate reducibility of Cs [closo-B6H7] and the synergistic interaction among Ni, Pd, and Mo. These results suggest the promise of multi-metal catalysts derived from Cs [closo-B6H7] for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of hydrogen storage materials.