Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:40
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Selective H2 Production upon NH3BH3 Hydrolysis over a Magnetic Cu/Ni-CMS Catalyst
Pengfei Li1, Xiaohong Liu1, Huanyu Yu1
1Engineering Research Center of Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China.
Inorganic Chemistry
|June 25, 2026
Summary
This study presents novel non-noble metal nanocatalysts for efficient hydrogen (H2) production from ammonia borane hydrolysis. The optimal copper/nickel-carbon microsphere nanocomposite shows high catalytic activity and recyclability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Chemical hydrogen storage, particularly using ammonia borane, offers a safe and dense alternative to traditional methods.
- Developing efficient and cost-effective catalysts is crucial for advancing hydrogen production technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate non-noble metal nanocomposites as high-performance catalysts for hydrogen (H2) production via ammonia borane hydrolysis.
- To investigate the catalytic efficiency, stability, and recyclability of these novel catalysts.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) nanoparticles supported on nickel-enriched carbon microspheres (Ni-CMSs).
- Assessment of catalytic activity for H2 production using ammonia borane hydrolysis.
- Characterization using various physical techniques to confirm material composition and structure.
- Evaluation of catalyst recyclability over multiple catalytic cycles.
Main Results:
- The optimal copper/nickel-CMS (Cu/Ni-CMS) nanocomposite demonstrated superior catalytic efficiency for H2 production, achieving a rate of 1449.74 mL(H2). gcat-1 min-1 at 30 °C.
- Physical characterizations confirmed successful immobilization of copper nanoparticles onto the Ni-CMS support, with homogeneous distribution of elements.
- The magnetic Cu/Ni-CMS catalyst was effectively recovered and reused for over 10 cycles with minimal loss of activity.
Conclusions:
- Non-noble metal nanocomposites, specifically Cu/Ni-CMS, are highly effective catalysts for H2 production from ammonia borane hydrolysis.
- The developed catalysts offer high activity, stability, and reusability, making them a promising alternative for chemical hydrogen storage.
- This work provides a simple and effective method for synthesizing advanced non-noble metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
Radical substitution reactions can be used to remove functional groups from molecules. The hydrogenolysis of alkyl halides is one such reaction, where the weak Sn–H bond in tributyltin hydride reacts with alkyl halides to form alkanes. Here, the reagent Bu3SnH yields tributyltin halide as a byproduct.
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
02:36Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
A significant aspect of hydroboration–oxidation is the regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
02:13Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
02:24Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
01:28Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Unlike the easy catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene double bond, hydrogenation of a benzene double bond under similar reaction conditions does not take place easily. For example, in the reduction of stilbene, the benzene ring remains unaffected while the alkene bond gets reduced. Hydrogenation of an alkene double bond is exothermic and a favorable process. In contrast, to hydrogenate the first unsaturated bond of benzene, an energy input is needed; that is, the process is endothermic. This is...