ZIF‐8 decorated FeMo nanoparticles: H2 Production from the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia‐borane

Abstract Ammonia‐Borane (AB) is considered a promising solid hydrogen storage material due to its high hydrogen content (19.6 wt%) and its use for safe hydrogen transport. The most effective way to produce H 2 from AB is to perform the hydrolysis reaction in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In this study, Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 /ZIF‐8 nanocatalyst was synthesized in two steps: (i) synthesis by following the colloidal synthesis technique by thermal decomposition of Mo(CO) 6 and Fe(acac) 3 in the presence of OM and ODE at high temperatures, and (ii) the resulting colloidal Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 NPs were decorated into ZIF‐8. The as‐prepared Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 /ZIF‐8 catalyst was identified using advanced characterization techniques such as ICP‐OES, P‐XRD, SEM, SEM–EDX, TEM, TEM‐EDX, XPS, and BET. The catalytic activities of the Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 /ZIF‐8 catalyst in the hydrolysis of AB were investigated in different parameters (temperature, catalyst [Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 ] and substrate [H 3 NBH 3 ] concentration, and recyclability). The results show that high crystallinity Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 NPs with a uniform 1.31 ± 0.13 nm distribution were formed on the ZIF‐8 surface. Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 /ZIF‐8 catalyst provides a maximum H 2 generation rate of 184.2 mLH 2 (g catalyst) −1 (min) −1 at 343 K. This uniquely cost‐effective, active and durable Fe 0.2 Mo 0.8 /ZIF‐8 catalyst has strong potential for H 2 ‐based fuel cell (PEM: Proton Exchange Membrane) applications where AB is a suitable H 2 carrier. Highlights FeMo NPs were synthesized by a colloidal synthesis method and decorated into ZIF‐8. FeMo/ZIF‐8 catalyst is an active catalyst in the hydrolysis of AB. FeMo/ZIF‐8 catalyst showed an initial TOF value of 449.85 mol(H 2 )·molFe 0.2 Mo 0.8 −1 ·h −1 in the AB hydrolysis at 338 K.