Stabilized cobalt-based nanofilm catalyst prepared using an ionic liquid/water interfacial process for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride.

The rational design and construction of transition metal catalysts with high performance and low cost are imperative for liquid hydrogen storage materials. In this study, carbon-stabilised ultrathin Co-doped Co x O y nanofilms (C–Co/Co x O y NFs) are prepared by an ionic liquid/water interface strategy for sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) hydrolysis. Owing to its two-dimensional (2D) NFs structure and the protective effect of the composite carbon, C–Co/Co x O y NFs catalyst exhibits remarkable activity and durability in hydrogen generation from NaBH 4 hydrolysis. The hydrogen generation rate achieves 8055 mL·min−1·g Co −1 and the catalyst can be recycled more than 20 times, surpassing most of the reported metal-based catalysts under comparable conditions. This excellent 2D Co-based NFs structure with numerous active sites assists in the activation of NaBH 4 and water molecules to promote hydrogen production. These results provide an in-depth understanding of hydrogen generation from NaBH 4 hydrolysis, as well as an effective strategy for rationally designing 2D NFs catalysts with high activity and durability. [Display omitted] • Stabilized cobalt-based nanofilm exhibit outstanding activity for NaBH 4 hydrolysis • Cobalt-based nanofilm assists the activation of NaBH 4 and water molecules. • Carbon prevent the formation of Co(OH) 2 and avoid the loss of active Co The design and construction of transition metal catalysts with high performance and low-cost characteristics are imperative for liquid hydrogen storage materials. In this study, we prepared ultrathin carbon-stabilized Co-doped Co x O y nanofilms (C–Co/Co x O y NFs) using an ionic liquid/water interface strategy for sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) hydrolysis. Owing to its two-dimensional (2D) NF structure and the protective effects of the composite carbon, the C–Co/Co x O y NF catalyst exhibited remarkable activity and durability for hydrogen generation from NaBH 4 hydrolysis. The hydrogen generation rate reached 8055 mL·min−1·g Co −1 (5106 mL·min−1·g Cat −1) and the catalyst could be recycled more than 20 times, surpassing most reported metal-based catalysts under comparable conditions. In addition, the exceptional 2D Co-based NF structures, with numerous active sites, assisted in the activation of NaBH 4 and water molecules, promoting hydrogen production. Thus, these results provided an in-depth understanding of hydrogen generation from NaBH 4 hydrolysis, and an effective strategy for rationally designing highly active and durable 2D NF catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]