Co₂N-Co₃O₄ with Core-Shell Structure Coupled on Cotton Stalk Derived Carbon as Catalyst to Accelerate Hydrogen Production from Sodium Borohydride

In the future hydrogen economy, the design of efficient catalysts with dual active sites is essential to promote catalytic hydrogen production. In this paper, Co₂N-Co₃O₄ with core@shell structure supported on cotton stalk carbon (Co₂N-Co₃O₄@C) possessing dual-active sites of Co₂N and Co₃O₄ is designed. The catalyst shows excellent catalytic activity for sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) hydrolysis with hydrogen evolution rate (r_B = 1408 mL min⁻¹ g⁻¹_Co). The interfacial active site and carbon framework of catalyst improve the kinetics and catalytic stability of hydrogen generation. The structure of interfacial active sites in Co₂N-Co₃O₄@C facilitates the dissociation of reactants (NaBH₄ and H₂O molecules), thus increasing the catalytic hydrogen generation from NaBH₄ hydrolysis (Co₂N activates NaBH₄ and Co₃O₄ activates H₂O). This work provides a new method for the modification and application of cotton stalk waste-derived carbon materials. The construction of core@shell catalysts with dual active sites provides theoretical guidance for the rational design of advanced transition metal carbide materials. This discovery offers a novel perspective and direction for designing efficient functional catalysts.