Recent Progress on Cobalt-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Borane

Abstract

Ammonia borane (NH₃BH₃, AB) is a quintessential exemplar of chemical hydrogen storage materials and has been widely used in hydrogen evolution. Although expensive metal catalysts (such as Rh, Ru, Pt, Ag, etc.) exhibit high activity in the hydrolysis of ammonia borane, inexpensive metals are more economical. Cobalt (Co), in particular, is not only relatively inexpensive and readily available, but also possesses high activity and selectivity. Compared to other catalysts, cobalt-based catalysts have better durability and can maintain catalytic activity for a longer period of time, making them favored by researchers. These catalysts demonstrate excellent stability, hydrogen evolution rate, and turn over frequency. This article summarized previous progress in low price metal cobalt-based catalysts for hydrogen precipitation from ammonia borane, focusing on cobalt-based catalysts supported on various supports, especially those supported on carbon materials, metal oxides, MOFs, and nickel foams. The characteristics of high-performance catalytic systems are analyzed in detail. The development prospects of Co catalysts for hydrogen production from ammonia borane were also discussed. In summary, this review compiles various supported and other types of cobalt based catalysts in recent years, and also identifies the existing problems with these catalysts, providing a reference for developers to study these catalysts. It is believed that through careful regulation of the electronic and spatial structures of Co based catalysts, well-designed Co based non precious metal catalysts will play a significant role in the decomposition of ammonia borane.