P-induced Co-based interfacial catalysis on Ni foam for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Co-based monolithic phosphides have caught attention due to their stability and corrosion resistance properties during the catalytic reaction. Herein, P-induced Co-based interfacial phosphides Co-CoP-NC/NF are prepared through the PH3-phosphorization. The theoretical and experimental analysis confirms the uniform growth of Co-CoP nanoparticles (NPs) with turmeric-like morphology. Co-CoP NPs (average size = 8.78 nm) express prominent interfacial interaction and a strong electronic interaction between metal sites and doped phosphorous (P). Thus, P inducing synergistically increases the number of catalytic active sites (CoP) and electronic modulation of metallic sites (Co). The optimized catalyst Co-CoP-NC/NF-2 express the excellent and the best-ranked catalytic activity for ammonia borane hydrolysis with hydrogen evolution rate (rB = 2500 mL min−1 g−1Co), turnover frequency (TOF = 600 h−1), and apparent activation energy (Ea = 30.6 kJ mol−1). This work provides a potential avenue for developing monolithic catalysts for industrial applications in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and sustainable energy.