Multifunctional Au–Co@CN Nanocatalyst for Highly Efficient Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane

Abstract

A magnetically recyclable carbon nitride supported Au–Co nanoparticles (Au–Co@CN) displayed exceedingly high photocatalytic activity for hydrolysis of aqueous ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) solution. Combined with a synergetic effect between Au and Co nanoparticles, the Motty–Schottky effect at the metal–semiconductor interface remarkably facilitated the catalytic performance of the Au–Co@CN catalyst on the hydrolysis of AB. The TOF value of Au–Co@CN catalyst is 2897 mol H2 mol–1 metal h–1 at 298 K under visible light irradiation, which is more than 3 times higher than that of the benchmarked catalyst, PVP-stabilized Au@Co nanoparticles.