Abstract: Non-noble metal Cu@ Co core-shell nanoparticles（NPs） containing a Cu core and a Co shell were synthesized by a facile chemical reduction method. In addition,the catalytic performance for hydrolysis of ammonia borane（AB） was investigated. The results show that the catalytic activity of Cu@Co NPs depend on the ratios of copper and cobalt. Among them,Cu_0.2@ Co_0.8showed the best catalytic activity,with a high hydrogen generation rate of 1364 m L min^-1g^-1at 298 K and the lower active energy of 59. 1 kJ mol^-1. The dehydrogenation kinetic studies indicate that the hydrolysis of AB catalyzed by Cu_0.2@ Co_0.8is first order with respect to the catalyst concentration,and it is zero-order with respect to the concentration of AB. Cu@ Co core shell nanoparticles provide more active sites on the surface to facilitate the catalytic reaction than Cu Co alloy. Furthermore,the synergetic interaction and electronic effect between Cu and Co in Cu_0.2@ Co_0.8play a critical role in the enhanced catalytic activity.