Birdcage-Type CoOx-Carbon Catalyst Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Hydrogen Generation

Ammonia borane can release abundant hydrogen with an applicable catalyst. In this Article, Co–N-doped carbon spherical catalysts (Co@NCS) were synthesized via the composition of Co-metal–organic frameworks and resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. The Co@NCS microsphere consisted of carbon-coated Co nanoparticles, with a particle size of 7.2 nm. Co-CoO x @NCS- n was generated by controllable oxidation of Co@NCS- n, and it exhibited more optimistic catalytic activity than Co@NCS- n in ammonia borane hydrolysis. Co-CoO x @NCS-II demonstrated a superior specific hydrogen generation rate of 5562 mL·min –1 ·g Co –1 at 298 K due to the synergistic effect between Co and CoO x . The activity had no significant deterioration during the stability test. These designed catalysts acted as a birdcage. It restricted the growth of nanoparticles on catalysts and prevented the active ingredients from moving away from the catalysts. The catalytic mechanism in this reaction system was also studied. This novel synthetic strategy may further the development and application of noble-metal-free catalysts in the sustainable catalysis field.