RuCo Nanoparticles Immobilized on Carbon Nanocuboids as Catalysts for H2 Evolution

Abstract

It is a matter of high significance to develop on-demand H₂ evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials for efficiently avoiding the safety risks and high costs in the process of H₂ storage and transport, which has important scientific significance and application value for the safe and effective use of H₂. In this study, we have designed and synthesized an RuCo nanocatalyst immobilized onto hollow carbon nanocuboids (RuCo-CNCs) for on-demand H₂ evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials (including Me₂NHBH₃, NH₃BH₃, and NaBH₄). Full physical characterization confirmed that RuCo-CNC-800 exhibited a nanocuboid-shaped structure, and RuCo bimetallic nanoparticles were successfully immobilized onto nanocuboids. This is advantageous to prevent the aggregation of the RuCo nanocatalyst and mass transfer, hence boosting its stability and catalytic performance in H₂ evolution. More importantly, the in situ H₂ from chemical hydrogen storage materials was successfully applied for the hydrogenation reaction, thus eliminating the need for dangerous hydrogen cylinders. In addition, the “on–off” switch for H₂ evolution from Me₂NHBH₃ hydrolysis over the RuCo-CNC-800 nanocatalyst was successfully achieved using the system of Zn²⁺/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na). This work not only provides an efficient RuCo nanocatalyst for H₂ evolution but also suggests a feasible method for the safe and effective use of H₂.