Monodispersed CuCo Nanoparticles Supported on Diamine-Functionalized Graphene as a Non-noble Metal Catalyst for Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane

Monodispersed non-noble CuCo nanoparticles (diameter <= 2.4 nm) have been immobilized on diamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide, which displays remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) with a corresponding turnover frequency (TOF) as high as 51.5 +/- 3.7 mol(H2)mol(cat)(-1)min(-1) at 303 K, compared to those on other supports such as reduced graphene oxide, Vulcan XC-72R and polyvinypyrrolidone. The synergic effect between Cu and Co could efficiently improve the catalytic performance for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB. In addition, it represents a new opportunity to support various non-noble metal nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide, which has tremendous application prospect for various catalytic reactions.