Magnetically separable and recyclable urchin-like Co–P hollow nanocomposites for catalytic hydrogen generation

•Urchin-like Co–P hollow nanocomposites were synthesized by a one-pot strategy.•Ferromagnetic Co nanoparticles were encapsulated into Co2P matrix.•The nanocomposites exhibited good catalytic hydrogen generation performance.•The nanocomposites served as magnetic recyclable catalysts.

One-pot well-controlled synthetic strategy was developed to achieve urchin-like Co–P hollow nanocomposites with tailorable magnetic properties which enable them to perform as magnetically recyclable nanocatalysts in a “quasi-homogeneous” system for the catalytic hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of Ammonia–Borane (AB). The key point of this strategy was that ferromagnetic Co nanoparticles (NPs) were embedded into paramagnetic Co2P matrix to form magnetic nanocomposites. The as-prepared Co–P NPs showed appreciable catalytic activity, recyclability and durability in hydrolysis of AB. Moreover, the chemical regeneration of AB from the “hydrolyzate” may also benefit from these magnetically recyclable catalysts. We further highlighted the excellent high-temperature resistance of Co–P NPs by calcining them at 300 °C and 600 °C. Our research may facilitate the practical application of AB as a sustainable hydrogen storage material for hydrogen-based energy.

Graphical abstractUrchin-like Co–P hollow nanocomposites encapsulating ferromagnetic Co nanoparticles into Co2P matrix were synthesized by a one-pot strategy which exhibited tailorable magnetic property. The as-prepared Co–P nanocomposites showed appreciable catalytic activity, recyclability and durability in catalysis hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of Ammonia–Borane. The research was supposed to make the hydrogen energy conversion more “Green”.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide