Additive-Free, Robust H2 Production from H2 O and DMF by Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Cu/Cu2 O Formed In Situ

Abstract

Hydrogen production from organic/inorganic hydrides is a promising strategy for the development of novel clean energy resources to replace fossil fuels and satisfy ever-increasing energy demands. Most current processes involve small flammable chemicals and are catalyzed by noble metals in basic media with the release of the greenhouse gas CO₂ . Herein, we describe an alternative pathway for highly efficient and robust H₂ production through a dehydrogenation reaction between water and N,N-dimethylformamide catalyzed by Cu/Cu₂ O catalysts formed in situ. The catalysts exhibit high and robust activity for H₂ production. Importantly, the formation of H₂ as the sole gas and the valuable by-product N,N-dimethylaminoformic acid make this process clean and valuable with 100 % atom economy.

Keywords: catalytic stability; copper/copper(I) oxide; dehydrogenation; heterogeneous catalysis; hydrogen production.