Cu0.33@Co0.22Ni0.45 core–shell nanoparticles as hydrogen generation catalysts via hydrolysis of ammonia borane

Abstract

Hydrogen generation using a Cu_0.33@Co_0.22Ni_0.45 core–shell nanocatalyst via hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃, AB) was performed. The core–shell structure was synthesized with starch as the surfactant. The structure, morphology, and chemical composition of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX), inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characterization results showed that the prepared samples possessed a core–shell structure with high catalysis, a high hydrogen release rate (2646 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹), and low activation energies (37.4 kJ mol⁻¹). In the high cycle performance, 84% of the initial catalytic activity was retained after 5 cycles. The finite element method was used to study the influence of the mechanical properties of the Cu@CoNi core–shell structure on the stability of the catalyst. It was concluded that the Cu@CoNi core–shell possesses excellent structural stability.