Integration of morphology and electronic structure modulation on cobalt phosphide nanosheets to boost photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from ammonia borane hydrolysis

The controllable and safe hydrogen storage technologies are widely recognized as the main bottleneck for the accomplishment of sustainable hydrogen energy.Ammonia borane(AB)has regarded as a competitive candidate for chemical hydrogen storage.However,developing efficient yet high-performance catalysts towards hydrogen evolution from AB hydrolysis remains an enormous challenge.Herein,cobalt phosphide nanosheets are synthesized by a facile salt-assisted along with low-temperature phosphidation strategy for simultaneously modulating its morphology and electronic structure,and function as hydrogen evolution photocatalysts.Impressively,the Co_(2)P nanosheets display extraordinary performance with a record high turnover frequency of 44.9 min^(-1),outperforming most of the noble-metal-free catalysts reported to date.This remarkable performance is attributed to its desired nanosheets structure,featuring with high specific surface area,abundant exposed active sites,and short charge diffusion paths.Our findings provide a novel strategy for regulating metal phosphides with desired phase structure and morphology for energy-related applications and beyond.

Ammonia borane-enabled hydrogen transfer processes:Insights into catalytic strategies and mechanisms

Transfer hydrogenation(TH) with in situ generated hydrogen donor is of great importance in reduction reactions, and an alternative strategy to traditional hydrogenation processes involving pressurized molecular hydrogen. Ammonia borane(NH3BH3, AB) is a promising material of hydrogen storage, and it has attracted much attention in reductive organic transformations owing to its high activity, good atom economy, nontoxicity, sustainability, and ease of transport and storage. This review focuses on summarizing the recent progress of AB-mediated TH reactions of diverse substrates including nitro compounds, nitriles, imines, alkenes, alkynes, carbonyl compounds(ketones and aldehydes), carbon dioxide,and N-and O-heterocycles. Syntheses protocols(metal-containing and metal-free), the effect of reaction parameters, product distribution, and variation of reactivity are surveyed, and the mechanism of each reaction involving the action mode of AB as well as structure-activity relationships is discussed in detail. Finally, perspectives are presented to highlight the challenges and opportunities for AB-enabled TH reactions of unsaturated compounds.

Anomalous metastable hcp Ni nanocatalyst induced by non-metal N doping enables promoted ammonia borane dehydrogenation

Developing high-performing non-noble transition metal catalysts for H_(2) evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials is of great significance for the hydrogen economy system, yet challenging. Herein,we present for the first time that anomalous metastable hexagonal close-packed Ni nanoparticles induced by heteroatom N doping encapsulated in carbon(N-hcp-Ni/C) can exhibit admirable catalytic performance for ammonia borane(AB) dehydrogenation, prominently outperforming conventional fcc Ni counterpart with similar morphology and favorably presenting the state-of-the-art level.Comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies unravel that unusual hcp phase engineering of Ni together with N doping could induce charge redistribution and modulate electronic structure, thereby facilitating H_(2)O adsorption and expediting H_(2)O dissociation(rate-determining step). As a result, AB dehydrogenation can be substantially boosted with the assistance of N-hcp-Ni/C. Our proposed strategy highlights that unconventional crystal phase engineering coupled with non-metal heteroatom doping is a promising avenue to construct advanced transition metal catalysts for future renewable energy technologies.

A step‐growth strategy to grow vertical porous aromatic framework nanosheets on graphene oxide:Hybrid material‐confined Co for ammonia borane methanolysis

The rational synthesis of a two-dimensional(2D)porous aromatic framework(PAF)with a controllable growth direction remains a challenge to overcome the limitation of traditional stacked 2D materials.Herein,a step-growth strategy is developed to fabricate a vertically oriented nitrogen-rich porous aromatic framework on graphene oxide(V-PAF-GO)using monolayer benzidine-functionalized GO(BZ-GO)as a molecular pillar.Then,the confined Co nanoparticle(NP)catalysts are synthesized by encapsulating ultra-small Co into the slit pores of V-PAF-GO.Due to the high nitrogen content,large specific surface area,and adequate slit pores,the optimized vertical nanocomposites V-PAF-GO provide abundant anchoring sites for metal NPs,leading to ultrafine Co NPs(1.4 nm).The resultant Co/V-PAF-GO catalyst shows an extraordinary catalytic activity for ammonia borane(AB)methanolysis,yielding a turnover frequency value of 47.6 min−1 at 25°C,comparable to the most effective non-noble-metal catalysts ever reported for AB methanolysis.Experimental and density functional theory studies demonstrate that the electron-donating effect of N species of PAF positively corresponds to the low barrier in methanol molecule activation,and the cleavage of the O–H bond in CH3OH has been proven to be the rate-determining step for AB methanolysis.This work presents a versatile step-growth strategy to prepare a vertically oriented PAF on GO to solve the stacking problem of 2D materials,which will be used to fabricate other novel 2D or 2D–2D materials with controllable orientation for various applications.

Bimetallic RuM(M=Co,Ni)Alloy NPs Supported on MIL-110(AI):Synergetic Catalysis in Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane

By adjusting various Ru/M （M=Co, Ni） molar ratios, a series of highly dispersed bimetallic RuM alloy nanoparticles （NPs） anchored on MIL-110（Al） have been successfully prepared via a conventional impregnation-reduction method. And they are first used as heterogeneous catalysts for the dehydrogenation reaction of AB at room temperature. The results reveal that the as-prepared RulCo1@MIL-110 and RulNi1@MIL-110 exhibit the highest catalytic activities in different RuCo and RuNi molar ratios, respectively. It is worthy of note that the turnover frequency （TOF） values of Ru1Co1@MIL-110 and Ru1Ni1@MIL-110 catalysts reached 488.1 and 417.1 mol H2 min-1 （mol Ru）-1 and the activation energies （Ea） are 31.7 and 36.0 k J/tool, respectively. The superior catalytic performance is attributed to the bimetallic synergistic action between Ru and M, uniform distribution of metal NPs as well as bi-functional effect between RuM alloy NPs and MIL-110. Moreover, these catalysts exhibit favorable stability after 5 consecutive cycles for the hydrolysis of AB.

Interface electron collaborative migration of Co–Co3O4/carbon dots:Boosting the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Ammonia borane(AB)is an excellent candidate for the chemical storage of hydrogen.However,its practical utilization for hydrogen production is hindered by the need for expensive noble-metal-based catalysts.Herein,we report Co-Co3O4 nanoparticles(NPs)facilely deposited on carbon dots(CDs)as a highly efficient,robust,and noble-metal-free catalyst for the hydrolysis of AB.The incorporation of the multiinterfaces between Co,Co3O4 NPs,and CDs endows this hybrid material with excellent catalytic activity(rB=6816 mLH2 min^-1 gCo^-1)exceeding that of previous non-noble-metal NP systems and even that of some noble-metal NP systems.A further mechanistic study suggests that these interfacial interactions can affect the electronic structures of interfacial atoms and provide abundant adsorption sites for AB and water molecules,resulting in a low energy barrier for the activation of reactive molecules and thus substantial improvement of the catalytic rate.

Core-shell structured nanospheres with mesoporous silica shell and Ni core as a stable catalyst for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Core-shell structured nanospheres with mesoporous silica shell and Ni core(denoted as Ni@meso-SiO2) are prepared through a three-step process. Monodispersed Ni precursors are first prepared, and then coated with mesoporous SiO2. Final Ni@meso-SiO2spheres are obtained after calcination. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and N2adsorption-desorption methods. These spheres have a high surface area and are well dispersed in water, showing a high catalytic activity with a TOF value of 18.5,and outstanding stability in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane at room temperature.

Convenient Asymmetric Borane Reduction of Ketones Catalyzed by Simple Amino Alcohols and Corresponding Amino Acids

An asymmetric borane reduction of prochiral ketones catalyzed by simple amino alcohols and corresponding amino acids was examined to give alcohols with e.e. value up to 92% .

Carbon dots-confined CoP-CoO nanoheterostructure with strong interfacial synergy triggered the robust hydrogen evolution from ammonia borane

Ammonia borane(NH_(3)BH_(3),AB) is promising for chemical hydrogen sto rage;however,current systems for rapid hydrogen production are limited by the expensive noble metal catalysts required for AB hydrolysis.Here we report the design and synthesis of a highly efficient and robust non-noble-metal catalyst for the hydrolysis of AB at 298 K(TOF=89.56 molH_(2) min^(-1) molCo^(-1)).Experiments and density functional theory calculations were performed to explore the catalyst’s hybrid nanoparticle heterostructure and its catalytic mechanism.The catalyst comprised nitrogen-doped carbon dots confining CoO and CoP,and exhibited strong interface-induced synergistic catalysis for AB hydrolysis that effectively decreased the energy barriers for the dissociation of both AB and water molecules.The co-doping of N and P introduced numerous defects,and further regulated the reactivity of the carbon layers.The heterogeneous interface design technique presented here provides a new strategy for developing efficient and inexpensive non-noblemetal catalysts that may be applicable in other fields related to energy catalysis.

Co-CoO_x supported onto TiO_(2) coated with carbon as a catalyst for efficient and stable hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Ammonia borane(AB) can be catalytically hydrolyzed to provide hydrogen at room temperature due to its high potentaial for hydrogen storage. Non-precious metal heterogeneous catalysts have broad application in the field of energy catalysis. In this article, catalysts precursor is obtained from Co-Ti-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin by sol–gel method. Co/TiO_(2)@N-C(CTC) catalyst is prepared by calcining the precursor under high temperature conditions in nitrogen atmosphere. Co-CoO_x/TiO_(2)@N-C(COTC) is generated by the controllable oxidation reaction of CTC. The catalyst can effectively promote the release of hydrogen during the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB. High hydrogen generation at a specific rate of 5905 m L min^(-1) g_(Co)^(-1) is achieved at room temperature. The catalyst retains its 85% initial catalytic activity even for its fifth time use in AB hydrolysis. The synergistic effect among Co, Co_(3)O_(4) and TiO_(2) promotes the rate limiting step with dissociation and activation of water molecules by reducing its activation energy. The applied method in this study promotes the development of non-precious metals in catalysis for utilization in clean energy sources.

Single Pt Atoms Supported on Oxidized Graphene as a Promising Catalyst for Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Based on density functional theory calculations,the full hydrolysis of per NH3BH3 molecule to produce three hydrogen molecules on single Pt atoms supported on oxidized graphene(Pt1/Gr-O)is investigated.It is suggested that the first hydrogen molecule is produced by the combination of two hydrogen atoms from two successive B-H bonds breaking.Then one H2O molecule attacks the left*BHNH3 group(*represents adsorbed state)to form*BH(H2O)NH3 and the elongated O-H bond is easily broken to produce*BH(OH)NH3.The second H2O molecule attacks*BH(OH)NH3 to form*BH(OH)(H2O)NH3 and the breaking of O-H bond pointing to the plane of Pt1/Gr-O results in the desorption of BH(OH)2NH3.The second hydrogen molecule is produced from two hydrogen atoms coming from two H2O molecules and Pt1/Gr-O is recovered after the releasing of hydrogen molecule.The third hydrogen molecule is generated by the further hydrolysis of BH(OH)2NH3 in water solution.The rate-limiting step of the whole process is the combination of one H2O molecule and*BHNH3 with an energy barrier of 16.1 kcal/mol.Thus,Pt1/Gr-O is suggested to be a promising catalyst for hydrolysis of NH3BH3 at room temperature.

Asymmetric Reduction of Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by Using (αs,4s)-2-Dichloromethyl-4,5-Dihydro-α-(4-Nitrophenyl)-4- Oxazolemethanol-Borane Complex

Chiral oxazoborolidine borane complex was prepared from (αs, 4s)-2-dichloromethyl-4, 5-dihydro-α-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxazolemethanol with Borane in THF. The borane modified by chiral oxazoborolidine enantioselectively reduced aromatic ketones to second-alcohol with about 95%yield and medium optical yields. In the end of article, results are discussed and reduction mechanism is shown which proves the resulting major isomers fit very well.

EFFECTS OF RATE OF ADDITION AND TENIPERATURE ON THE ENANTIOSELECTIVITY IN BORANE REDUCTION OF KETONES CATALYZED BY CHIRAL OXAZABOROLIDINE

The exoellent enantioselectivity with o. p. >99% in asymmetrio borane reduction of acetophenone catalyzed by (4S, 5R ) 4, 5-diphenyi-1. 3. 2-oxazaborolidine has been achieved via the important modincation of the reaction conditions.

Two-Dimensional Borane with ‘Banana' Bonds and Dirac-Like Ring

Designing new two-dimensional （2D） semiconductors with novel topological characters is highly desirable for further material innovation. We propose a theoretical design of a stable 2D inorganic material, namely, borane, which is jointly stabilized by traditional B B localized and unique B-H-B delocalized chemical bonds. In borane, the bonding natures along different directions are distinguishing, which lead to huge differences in mechanical strengths of 142.73 and 97.47N/m for a and b directions, respectively. In a unit cell, each hydrogen atom binds to two boron atoms forming a three-center-two-electron （3c-2e） bridge bond B H B. This can be considered as an extension of diborane molecules from OD to 2D. The collaboration of localized and delocalized chemical bonds endows borane with high structural stability, as indicated by its favorable cohesive energy, high mechanical strength, absence of imaginary modes in the phonon spectrum, and moderate melting point. Remarkably, borane has a fascinating electronic property featured with a Dirae-like ring in the electronic band structure. The unique bonding nature and electronic property in borane would attract intensive interests in both theory and experiment.

Structures and Stability of Metal Amidoboranes (MAB): Density Functional Calculations

Molecule geometry structures, frequencies, and energetic stabilities of ammonia borane （AB, NH3BH3 ） and metal amidoboranes （MAB, MNH2BH3）, formed by substituting H atom in AB with one of main group metal atoms, have been investigated by density-functional theory and optimized at the B3LYP levels with 6-311G＋＋ （3dr, 3pd） basic set. Their structural parameters and infrared spectrum characteristic peaks have been predicted, which should be the criterion of a successfully synthesized material. Several parameters such as binding energies, vibrational frequencies, and the energy gaps between the HOMO and the LUMO have been adopted to characterize and evaluate their structure stabilities. It is also found that the binding energies and HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of the MAB obviously change with the substitution of the atoms. MgAB has the lowest binding energy and is easier to decompose than any other substitutional structures under same conditions, while CaAB has the highest chemical activity.

Polymer Film Supported Bimetallic Au–Ag Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ammonia Borane in Alkaline Media

Ammonia borane is widely used in most areas including fuel cell applications.The present paper describes electrochemical behavior of ammonia borane in alkaline media on the poly(p-aminophenol) film modified with Au and Ag bimetallic nanoparticles.The glassy carbon electrode was firstly covered with polymeric film electrochemically and then,Au,Ag,and Au–Ag nanoparticles were deposited on the polymeric film,respectively.The surface morphology and chemical composition of these electrodes were examined by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.It was found that alloyed Au–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles are formed.Electrochemical measurements indicate that the developed electrode modified by Au–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit the highest electrocatalytic activity for ammonia borane oxidation in alkaline media.The rotating disk electrode voltammetry demonstrates that the developed electrode can catalyze almost six-electron oxidation pathway of ammonia borane.Our results may be attractive for anode materials of ammonia borane fuel cells under alkaline conditions.

Borane-Tetrahydrofurane Complex Reduction of Nickel and First Transition Metals in Tetrahydrofurane Media: Controllable Chemistry Leading to Nanoscale Metal and Metal Boride Particles

Nickel borides doped with transition metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) MNiB, 4% w/w respect to Ni were prepared by chemical reduction of nickel and metallic salts in methanol solution with borane-tetrahydrofurane (BH3-THF) complex obtained in aprotic solvent (THF anhydrous). Different techniques were used to characterize these materials. The MNiB amorphous structure was verified by XRD. Thermal treatment in N2 shows Ni°, Ni2 Band NiO phases. Spongy-morphology was evident by SEM studies in all cases. XPS and TEM show that doped and non-doped nickel boride was present as Ni° in metallic state as principal phase and nickel alloying with boron was observed in minor quantities. The oxidation stability, magnetic susceptibility and catalytic effect are correlated with parameters of each dopant metal.

Ni_(0.6)Cu_(0.4)O/NC催化剂的制备及其催化氨硼烷水解制氢性能研究

本研究在氮气气氛下高温碳化Ni/Cu-ZIF前驱体制备了一种含氮炭材料(Ni_(0.6)Cu_(0.4)O/NC)催化剂,并采用多种表征方法对所制备催化剂的微观结构以及组成成分进行了研究。此外,通过控制变量法探究了催化剂的催化性能以及变化规律。研究结果表明,Ni_(0.6)Cu_(0.4)O/NC催化AB水解制氢的活化能(Ea)为56.8 kJ/mol,TOF值高达1572.2 h^(−1)。该催化剂催化AB水解制氢速率对于AB自身浓度可近似看作零级反应,而相对于催化剂的用量可近似看作一级反应。催化剂经过10次循环后仍然保持良好的催化活性,表明其具有良好的稳定性。

碳材料在催化氨硼烷水解释氢中的应用

碳材料因其独特的化学和结构特性,在催化领域包括催化氨硼烷水解释氢中有广泛的应用。以碳材料的结构为侧重点,综述了不同维度形态的碳材料在催化氨硼烷水解释氢中的作用,并对其在催化氨硼烷水解释氢中所存在的问题以及今后的发展进行了总结和展望。

双模板剂合成CO_(2)P纳米片及其催化氨硼烷水解性能的研究

开发一种在温和条件下具有高活性、高选择性的催化剂是实现氨硼烷水解制氢应用的关键。以构建具有P掺杂材料为出发点,以两种不同比例的金属盐作为模板剂,以过渡非贵金属Co为中心金属,合成出制作方法简便、性能优异的催化剂。通过乙酸钴和氨水制备出Co_(3)O_(4)前躯体,将Co_(3)O_(4)前躯体与NaH_(2)PO_(2),NaCl,LiCl混合,在N_(2)气氛下焙烧,然后进行水洗将两种盐模板剂去除,得到纳米片催化剂CO_(2)P-NaLi。试验结果表明,当n(NaCl)∶n(LiCl)=1∶0.15时制备的催化剂CO_(2)P-NaLi_(0.15)催化活性最高,其在298 K、光照条件下催化氨硼烷水解反应的初始转化率(TOF)为31.2 min^(-1),且该催化剂上氨硼烷分解的活化能(E_(a))为60.8 kJ/mol。循环5次后,催化剂依然保持良好活性,表明其拥有良好的稳定性。