Enhanced catalytic activity and stability of Pt nanoparticles by surface coating of nanosized graphene oxide for hydrogen production from hydrolysis of ammonia-borane

We report the electronic modification of silica supported Pt nanoparticles (SiO2@Pt) by coating a 1 nm thin layer of nanosized graphene oxide (NGO). The resulting SiO2@Pt@NGO showed much enhanced catalytic activity and stability for hydrogen production from hydrolysis of ammoniaborane compared with SiO2@Pt and graphene supported Pt nanoparticles, with an impressive initial TOF value reaching 324.6 mol(H2) mol(Pt)(-1) min(-1). Detailed characterization by means of HRTEM and EDS elemental mapping proved the structural correctness of SiO2@Pt@NGO. The XPS results showed that the binding energy of Pt-0 4f(7/2) in SiO2@Pt@NGO was 71.12 eV slightly higher than 70.84 eV of Pt-0 4f(7/2) in SiO2@Pt, indicating more electron-deficient Pt atoms after the interaction with NGO, which may be responsible for the enhanced catalytic performance.