Highly efficient hydrogen generation from methanolysis of ammonia borane on CuPd alloy nanoparticles

A low-cost and facile route has been developed for the synthesis of monodisperse CuPd nanoparticles with tunable composition. (Scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) STEM-EDX results verified the structure of the alloy for the obtained nanoparticles. These CuPd nanoparticles supported on carbon were active catalysts for hydrogen generation from the methanolysis of ammonia borane (AB) at room temperature, and their activities were closely related with the compositions. Cu₄₈Pd₅₂ NPs exhibited the highest activity among the tested catalysts. Moreover, their activity can be further improved by thermal annealing at 300 °C under nitrogen flow, with a very high total turnover frequency value of 53.2 min⁻¹. The reusability test indicated that the Cu₄₈Pd₅₂/C catalyst retains 86% of its initial activity and 100% conversion after 8 cycles. The catalyst, which features lost cost and high efficiency, may help move forward the practical application of AB as a sustainable hydrogen storage material. (paper)