Noble-metal-free nanocatalysts for hydrogen generation from boron- and nitrogen-based hydrides

Abstract

Hydrogen has attracted much attention as a globally accepted clean energy carrier. Currently, the search for safe and efficient hydrogen storage materials is one of the most difficult challenges for the upcoming hydrogen economy. Boron- and nitrogen-based hydrides, such as metal borohydrides (e.g. NaBH₄), ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃), ammonia (NH₃), hydrous hydrazine (N₂H₄·H₂O), and hydrazine borane (N₂H₄BH₃), have received much attention as potential chemical hydrogen storage materials because of their high hydrogen contents and the advantage of CO-free H₂ produced. In recent years, substantial efforts have been devoted to research highly efficient catalysts to significantly improve the kinetic properties for hydrogen evolution from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride and ammonia borane, and selective decomposition of ammonia, hydrous hydrazine and hydrazine borane. Among them, non-noble metal catalysts have been widely considered as potential candidates due to their low cost, abundant reserves, and relatively high catalytic activities. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in non-noble metal catalyst design, synthesis and applications in hydrogen generation from boron- and nitrogen-based hydrides.