Increasing the catalytic efficiency of rhodium(0) nanoparticles in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane.

It reviews the papers reporting on the use of rhodium nanocatalysts in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane in the following groups: (i) water soluble rhodium complexes, (ii) colloidal nanoparticles of rhodium, (iii) rhodium(0) nanoparticles supported on carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon, graphene, carbon nanotubes, (iv) the use of oxide supports for rhodium(0) nanoparticles, (v) the use of magnetic powders as support for rhodium(0) nanoparticles to make them magnetically recoverable. In each group, the reported results are evaluated by considering the increase in the catalytic activity (specifically measured in turnover frequency), the stability and durability, the lifetime (that is, how long the nanocatalyst can be used in releasing hydrogen gas from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at appreciable rate), reusability (that is, how many times the catalyst can be isolated and reused for the same hydrolysis reaction generating hydrogen at acceptable rate). Overall, the work reported in each of the papers is evaluated in terms of contribution to the catalytic efficiency of rhodium nanocatalysts in hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane at room temperature. At the end, conclusions and suggestions are given how to increase the overall catalytic efficacy of the precious rhodium nanocatalysts in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane. [Display omitted] • Using colloidal nanoparticles is an efficient way of increasing catalytic activity of rhodium catalysts. • Supporting the rhodium nanoparticles on materials with large surface area increases their stability. • Selecting a suitable oxide support can increase the catalytic efficiency of rhodium nanocatalysts. • Reusability of rhodium nanoparticles can be increased by using magnetic support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]