Selective and efficient H2 evolution upon NH3BH3 hydrolysis at subzero temperatures.

ABSTRACT

In the winter months, the temperature in most of the Earth stays below 0°C; the average temperature in winter at the South Pole is about -60°C. Therefore, it is urgent to develop efficient catalytic systems for selective and efficient H2 evolution upon NH3BH3 hydrolysis at subzero temperatures. For solving the freezing issue of water at below 0°C, herein, we have employed a facile and surfactant-free approach to synthesize M-Pt/C nanocomposites (M = Pd, Rh, Ru, Ni, Cu, or Fe), by the alloying of commercial Pt/C with Pd, Rh, Ru, Cu, Ni, or Fe for selective and efficient H2 evolution upon NH3BH3 hydrolysis in saline solution at below 0°C, even at -15°C. In addition, NH3BH3 hydrolysis over Pd-Pt/C in the saturated NaCl solution is utilized not only for safe hydrogen production but also for its in situ hydrogenation reduction in organic chemistry, which could avoid using dangerous hydrogen cylinders.