Covalently-terminated germanane GeH and GeCH3 for hydrogen generation from catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane under visible light irradiation

Covalently-terminated germanane GeH and GeCH3 for hydrogen generation from catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH3BH3) complex under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) has been achieved. Compared with H-terminated germanane GeH, the methyl-terminated germanane GeCH3 exhibits superior catalytic activity and hydrogen selectivity towards hydrolysis of NH3BH3, with the turnover frequency (TOF) value of 18.16 molH2•min−1•molcat−1, which is nearly 2.4 times higher than that of GeH. In addition, we have demonstrated their good reusability and high stability through cyclic experiments. A proposed mechanism for the H2 evolution from hydrolysis of NH3BH3 over GeCH3 sample is proposed.