Atomic Interface-Exciting Catalysis on Cobalt Nitride-Oxide for Accelerating Hydrogen Generation.

The rational design of the interface structure between nitride and oxide using the same metallic element and correlating the interfacial active center with a determined catalytic mechanism remain challenging. Herein, a Co N-Co O interface structure is designed to determine the effect of interfacial active centers on hydrogen generation from ammonia borane. An unparalleled catalytic activity toward H production with a turnover frequency up to 79 min is achieved on Co N-Co O @C catalyst for ten recycles. Experimental analyses and theoretical simulation suggest that the atomic interface-exciting effect (AieE) is responsible for the high catalytic activity. The Co N-Co O interface facilitates the targeted adsorption and activation of NH BH and H O molecules to generate H and H . The two active centers of Co and Co at the Co N-Co O interface activate NH BH and H O, respectively. This proof-of-concept research on AieE provides important insights regarding the design of heterogeneous catalysts and promotes the development of the nature and regulation of energy chemical conversion.