Mn doped CoP/Ni foam catalyst for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

•Nanostructured Mn-doped CoP/NF catalyst on nickel foam was synthesized by electrodeposition.•It exhibits an outstanding catalytic performance with the H2 generation rate of 1.9 L·min−1·g−1.•The catalyst exhibited superior activation energy of 25.8 kJ·mol−1. We have developed an effective strategy to synthesize a nanostructured MnCoP catalyst on nickel foam (Mn-dopedCoP/NF) for the hydrolysis of NaBH4 solution. It has large exposed surface areas, supplying massive catalytic sites. The results show that the doped Mn element has adjusted the electric structure of Co in the Mn-dopedCoP/NF, resulting in a benefited electron transfer effect, which can enhance the intrinsic catalytic performance. Mn-dopedCoP/NF catalyst exhibits an outstanding catalytic performance with the H2 generation rate of 1.9 L min−1 g−1, along with the superior activation energy of 25.8 kJ mol−1. Furthermore, an excellent stability with little decline has been found after working several cycles. It should be inferred that Mn-dopedCoP/NF is an efficient catalyst for H2 production from NaBH4 hydrolysis.