Co0.45W0.55 Nanocomposite from ZIF-67: An Efficient and Heterogeneous Catalyst for H2 Generation Upon NaBH4 Hydrolysis

It is still a significant challenge to replace noble metal based catalysts by non-noble metal-based, highly efficient and earth-abundant catalysts in the H-2 generation upon hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. Herein, we first design and synthesize the highly selective and heterogeneous CoxWy nanocomposites from ZIF-67 as robust catalysts for H-2 production upon the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. Among them, the Co0.45W0.55 nanocatalyst exhibits the highest TOF of 1770 mL(H2) g(cat)(-1) min(-1) (the TOF related to only cobalt nanoparticles 8401 mL(H2) g(Co)(-1) min(-1)) over pure ZIF-67 or W nanoparticles and other ones. In addition, the Co0.45W0.55 catalyst has been successfully recycled at least 5 times without any significant activity loss, although the W (VI) has been partly reduced to W (V), W (IV) and W (0) in the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. This stability is taken into account by the highly active Co species rather than the activity of W itself. Based on the results obtained, we have shown that Co0.45W0.55 nanocomposite can be a potential candidate for the replacement of a noble metal catalyst for H-2 generation. Graphic

Automated summary

In this study, highly selective and heterogeneous CoxWy nanocomposites were designed and synthesized as robust catalysts for hydrogen production via the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, showing high TOF values and good recyclability.