Effect of l-arginine on the catalytic activity and stability of nickel nanoparticles for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

► Amorphous Ni catalysts were synthesized in an aqueous NaBH4/NH3BH3 solution. ► We study the effect of addition of l-arginine in the synthesis process. ► Ni species aggregate after cycle tests for NH3BH3 hydrolysis without l-arginine. ► Ni particles with l-arginine show high dispersion and activity for the cycle tests.