Cu-0/TiO2 nanoparticles as active catalyst for H-2 production from dimethylamine borane

The study reports the preparation and characterization of low cost Cu-0 nanoparticles obtained from reduction of impregnated Cu2+ ions on the surface of titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) during hydrogen releasing from dimethylamine borane (DMAB). Cu-0/TiO2 nanoparticles act as active catalyst with a turnover frequency 59.9 h(-1) in H-2 releasing of dimethylamine borane at 60.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C. The obtained catalysts, Cu-0/TiO2 NPs, were isolated from reaction medium and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV vis.) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Cu-0/TiO2 nanoparticles with different metal loadings (4.0-8.0 % Cu wt.) were prepared and tested as catalyst in dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane at 60.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C. All results reveal that Cu-0 NPs dispersed on the surface of titania were found as 2.96 +/- 0.83 nm. The highest catalytic activity was achieved for Cu-0/TiO2 NPs, 0.6 % Cu wt. with a turnover frequency 59.9 h(-1) in H-2 releasing of dimethylamine borane at 60.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C. The work reported here also includes the kinetic study depending on the temperature.