RuCo Nanoparticles Immobilized on Carbon Nanocuboids as Catalysts for H2 Evolution

It is a matter of high significance to develop on-demand H2 evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials for efficiently avoiding the safety risks and high costs in the process of H2 storage and transport, which has important scientific significance and application value for the safe and effective use of H2. In this study, we have designed and synthesized an RuCo nanocatalyst immobilized onto hollow carbon nanocuboids (RuCo-CNCs) for on-demand H2 evolution from chemical hydrogen storage materials (including Me2NHBH3, NH3BH3, and NaBH4). Full physical characterization confirmed that RuCo-CNC-800 exhibited a nanocuboid-shaped structure, and RuCo bimetallic nanoparticles were successfully immobilized onto nanocuboids. This is advantageous to prevent the aggregation of the RuCo nanocatalyst and mass transfer, hence boosting its stability and catalytic performance in H2 evolution. More importantly, the in situ H2 from chemical hydrogen storage materials was successfully applied for the hydrogenation reaction, thus eliminating the need for dangerous hydrogen cylinders. In addition, the "on–off" switch for H2 evolution from Me2NHBH3 hydrolysis over the RuCo-CNC-800 nanocatalyst was successfully achieved using the system of Zn2+/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na). This work not only provides an efficient RuCo nanocatalyst for H2 evolution but also suggests a feasible method for the safe and effective use of H2.