Chitosan-derived N-doped carbon catalysts with a metallic core for the oxidative dehydrogenation of NH-NH bonds.

Sustainable metal-encased (Ni-Co/Fe/Cu)@N-doped-C catalysts were prepared from bio-waste and used for the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction. A unique combination of bimetals, N doping, and porous carbon surfaces resulted in the formation of the effective "three-in-one" catalysts. These N-doped graphene-like carbon shells with bimetals were synthesized the complexation of metal salts with chitosan and the subsequent pyrolysis at 700 °C.