Ultrasmall rhodium nanoclusters anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with embedded nickel nanoparticles as magnetically recyclable catalysts for efficient ammonia-borane hydrolysis. (13th January 2020) - Lu, Rui
Abstract: Facile yet efficient synthesis of high-performance nanocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from ammonia-borane (AB) hydrolysis is paramount. Here, we reported a novel hybrid nanocatalyst comprised of Rh nanoclusters (1.56 nm in diameters) anchored on nitrogen (N)-doped carbon nanotubes with embedded Ni nanoparticles (Ni@NCNTs), which was fabricated through adsorption of Rh ions on Ni@NCNTs. The achieved hybrid of Rh/Ni@NCNTs displayed excellent catalytic property (Turnover frequency: 959 min −1 ) toward AB hydrolysis, higher than many prior developed Rh-based catalysts. Note that this hybrid could be reused for at least nine runs with complete AB conversion to hydrogen. Rh nanoclusters with small size exhibiting high atom utilization and the synergetic effect between Ni and Rh are responsible for the excellent catalytic property of Rh/Ni@NCNTs toward AB hydrolysis. This work highlights the importance of utilization of magnetically recyclable Ni@NCNTs as support and synergetic component for efficient hydrolysis of AB. Highlights: Well-distributed Rh nanoclusters decorated on Ni@NCNTs was facile achieved. Rh/Ni@NCNTs hybrid exhibited excellent activity toward AB hydrolysis. A high turnover frequency of 959 min −1 was obtained for AB hydrolysis. Synergetic effect between Ni NPs and Rh nanoclusters contribute to high activity.