Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Keywords

Nanocluster catalysts, Ammonia borane, Hydrogen release, Single-atom catalysts, Bimetallic synergy

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106519

Abstract

This study investigated the long-term stability of cobalt (Co) and manganese nitride (Mn4N) nanoclusters in the catalytic hydrolysis of a promising hydrogen (H2) storage material, ammonia borane (H3NBH3; AB), to release H2. It was previously found that Co nanoparticle/Co single-atom catalysts (Co NP/Co SACs) anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNT) exhibited excellent reactivity and stability towards AB hydrolysis and high performance in the H2 evolution reaction in alkaline media. Therefore, the current study synthesised CoMn4N/Co-Mn-Nx-CNT- 200–800, a CoMn-based catalyst with Co and Mn4N nanocluster active sites, and examined its performance in AB hydrolysis. CoMn4N/Co-Mn-Nx-CNT-200–800 generated three equivalents of H2 from AB within 5 min, outperforming the catalytic activity of previously reported Co NPs/Co SACs. Moreover, CoMn4N/Co-Mn-Nx-CNT- 200–800 maintained over 90 % of its initial activity after 50 cycles of AB hydrolysis. This exceptional long-term stability is attributable to CoMn4N/Co-Mn-Nx-CNT-200–800 bearing Co/Mn4N nanoclusters that were strongly adhered onto graphitic layers, thereby preventing metal-atom aggregation and leakage during AB hydrolysis. Thus, CoMn4N/Co-Mn-Nx-CNT-200–800 displayed a maximum effective H2 generation rate of 8372 mLH2⋅gCoMn 􀀀 1 ⋅min􀀀 1. These results highlight the potential of dispersed bimetallic nanocluster catalysts, such as CoMn4N-based catalysts, for practical and sustainable H2 generation via AB hydrolysis. In addition, the insights gained from this study can inform the design of highly active and stable non-precious metal-based catalysts for energy-related applications.

Source Publication

Surfaces and Interfaces

Volume Number

65

ISSN

2468-0230

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