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