Catalytic and photo hydrolysis of ammonia borane complex using Pd-doped Co nanofibers

Due to the axial ratio feature, bimetallic nanofibers are expected to have novel characteristics. In this study, Pd-doped Co nanofibers could be successfully prepared using simple, low cost, high yield and effective technique; electrospinning. The introduced nanofibers have been synthesized by calcination of electrospun nanofibers composed of Pd NPs/cobalt acetate tetrahydrate/poly(vinyl alcohol) in a vacuum atmosphere. The utilized physicochemical characterizations indicated that the introduced bimetallic nanofibers are chemically protected by a sheath of graphite layer. Interestingly, the introduced nanofibers can be utilized in hydrolysis of ammonia borane in an aqueous solutions using two different simultaneous mechanisms; normal and photo catalysis. The solar radiation improves the performance as the stoichiometric hydrogen has been obtained within few minutes under the sunlight because of the photohydrolysis influence. Reusability is a distinct feature for the introduced nanofibers as they could be utilized for several successive times with the same efficiency. Moreover, due to the carbon sheathing, no metallic ions release was observed in the final solution. Photohydrolysis mechanism of ammonia borane might open a new avenue to utilize different class of materials to release the embedded hydrogen in the ammonia borane complex.

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► Pd-doped cobalt nanofibers were synthesized using simple and effective technique.
► New mechanism can be used to release hydrogen form ammonia borane; photohydrolysis.
► The stoichiometric hydrogen has been obtained within few minutes under the sunlight.
► The introduced nanofibers can be used as an effective photocatalyst.