Pt coated Co nanoparticles supported on N-doped mesoporous carbon as highly efficient, magnetically recyclable and reusable catalyst for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) is considered as an excellent chemical material for the hydrogen storage attribute to its high hydrogen storage capacity. However, developing highly efficient catalysts for continuous hydrogen generation from AB is still a challenge for the future fuel cell applications. Initially, a facile one-pot carbonization method was used for fabrication cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) doped fluffy N-doped mesoporous carbon (Co/mCN). Further, the Pt@Co/mCN nanocatalyst was prepared through a facile spontaneous displacement reaction by using the Co/mCN material and H2PtCl6 as the starting materials. Here, the metallic Pt only covered on the surface of the Co NPs in the view of Pt saving. The Pt@Co/mCN nanocatalyst was used in the catalytic hydrogen generation from AB and showed excellent catalytic activity and reusability. The superior catalytic activity of the Pt@Co/mCN nanocatalyst is probably due to the isolated Pt atoms on the surface of the Co NPs and the highly dispersed Pt@Co NPs on the surface of the fluffy mCN support.