A Catalytic Copper/Cobalt Oxide Interface for Efficient Hydrogen Generation

Metal nanoparticles and metal oxides promisingly provide different catalytic active sites at their interfaces. Constructing high-density interfaces is essential to maximize synergies. Herein, a Cu–Co3O4 interfacial structure produced via pyrolysis moderate oxidation from metal-organic frameworks has been designed boost the intrinsic activity. The composites exhibit turnover frequency of 57.5 min−1 for ammonia borane hydrolysis, far higher than those monometallic Cu Co3O4 nanoparticles, showing synergistic effect interface. Density functional theory calculations in situ Raman spectroscopy reveal mechanism dual sites, which interface efficiently bind activate water molecules easily NH3BH3 molecules. This study opens up new pathway achieving high-efficiency noble metal-free catalysts hydrogen generation other heterogeneous catalysis.