Room temperature hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane catalyzed by Co nanoparticles

Amorphous and well dispersed Co nanoparticles (less than 10 nm) have been in situ synthesized in aqueous solution at room temperature. The as-synthesized Co nanoparticles possess high catalytic activity (1116 L mol⁻¹ min⁻¹) and excellent recycling property for the hydrogen generation from aqueous solution of ammonia borane under ambient atmosphere at room temperature. The present low-cost catalyst, high hydrogen generation rate and mild reaction conditions (at room temperature in aqueous solution) represent a promising step toward the development of ammonia borane as a viable on-board hydrogen-storage and supply material.