The green synthesis of Cu NPs in Camelia sinensis extract and their use in ammonia borane dehydrogenation

In the presented study, green synthesis of Cu nanoparticles was achieved in Camellia sinensis (green tea) plant extract. The polyphenolic natural components abundant in Camellia sinensis extract reduced Cu2+ ions in the solution into Cu0 nanoparticles through bioreduction also ensured the stabilization of the resulting Cu0 nanoparticles. The prepared Camellia Sinensis extract stabilized Cu nanoparticles was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, and TEM spectroscopic methods, and its catalytic activity in the ammonia borane hydrolysis reaction was investigated. The rapid manufactured and quite inexpensive catalyst has been utilized on direct hydrogen production by AB hydrolysis without going through any separation or purification procedures. The effects of catalyst amount, AB concentration, and temperature parameters on Camellia sinensis extract stabilized Cu nanoparticles catalyzed AB hydrolysis kinetics, and the reusability of the catalyst were tested. An environmental friendly catalyst material has been prepared practically in-situ from an easily accessible natural product without requiring any chemical process, and the activation energy, Ea, of the AB hydrolysis reaction has been calculated as 69.96 kJ.mol-1.