Trimetallic nanoparticles of non-noble Cu-Fe-Co with different molar ratios were successfully immobilized in the metal-organic frameworks (MIL-101) via an easy impregnation-reduction process. XRD, TEM, XPS, ICP-MS and BET methods were used to characterize the catalyst. Comparing to their bimetallic counterparts, Cu6Fe0.8Co3.2@MIL-101 demonstrates the best catalytic performance for dehydrogenation of ammonia borane by hydrolysis at 298 K Cu6Fe0.8Co3.2@MIL-101 shows a total turnover frequency (TOF) value of 23.2 mol(H2) molcatalyst(-1) min(-1) and an activation energy value of 37.1 kJ mol(-1). The enhancement of catalytic activity was attributed to a synergistic effect among copper, cobalt and iron nanoparticles supported on MIL-101. In addition, the catalyst still exhibits good stability and magnetic recyclability after seven cycles. The low-cost catalyst has good prospect for application in the field of hydrogen storage. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.