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 4 N-Co 3 O 4 interface structure is designed to determine the effect of interfacial active centers on hydrogen generation from ammonia borane. An unparalleled catalytic activity toward H 2 production with a turnover frequency up to 79 min −1 is achieved on Co 4 N-Co 3 O 4 @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 4 N-Co 3 O 4 interface facilitates the targeted adsorption and activation of NH 3 BH 3 and H 2 O molecules to generate H * and H 2 . The two active centers of Co (N) * and Co (O) * at the Co 4 N-Co 3 O 4 interface activate NH 3 BH 3 and H 2 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.