Role of Metal–Support Interactions, Particle Size, and Metal–Metal Synergy in CuNi Nanocatalysts for H₂ Generation

Abstract

Efficient bimetallic nanocatalysts based on non-noble metals are highly desired for the development of new energy storage materials. In this work, we report a simple method for the synthesis of highly dispersed CuNi catalysts supported on mesoporous carbon or silica nanospheres using low cost metal nitrate precursors. The mesoporous carbonsupported Cu 0.5 Ni 0.5 nanocatalysts exhibit excellent catalytic performance for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane and decomposition of hydrous hydrazine with 100% hydrogen selectivity in aqueous alkaline solution at 60 o C. The chemical composition and size of the metal particles, which have a significant influence on the catalytic properties of the bimetallic CuNi supported materials, can readily be controlled by adjusting the metal loading and ratio of metal precursors. An exceedingly high turnover frequency of 3288 (mol H2 mol metal -1 h -1 ) and complete reaction within 1 min in dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane were achieved over a tailored-made catalyst obtained through precise monitoring of metal particle size, composition and support properties.

Hydrogenation of Dicyclopentadiene Resin and Its Monomer over High Efficient CuNi Alloy Catalysts

“…As a reference, the monometallic Ni‐Al 2 O 3 catalyst with higher surface area had a lower DCPD conversion, which may cause by the strong Ni−Al interaction. As evidenced by H 2 ‐TPR result, it is difficult to reduce the Ni species to Ni 0 completely due to the strong metal‐support interaction, which leads to the decreasing of hydrogenation activity . Other bimetallic catalysts with different Cu/Ni ratio are also investigated.…”

Synthesis of Co0.5Mn0.1Ni0.4C2O4⋅n H2O Micropolyhedrons: Multimetal Synergy for High‐Performance Glucose Oxidation Catalysis

“…Materials containing multiple metallic elements are more attractive from as cientific and technical point of view than single metal materials, and these materials are expected to exhibit new synergistic properties between the metals. [6][7][8] Multimetal materials can alter the electronic structure of the activem etal centers and can also modulate the available catalytically active sites to enhance the catalytic performance. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] For instance, Wu and co-workers [16] reported Fe 1Àx PtRu x nanocrystals that had improved electrocatalytic activity toward methanol, which was ascribed to a change in the electronic structure of Pt owing to synergistic effects between the metals.…”

Introduction of Ag/CuO/MCM‐48 as an efficient catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of novel pyran‐pyrrole hybrids

“…Cu‐based bimetallic catalysts demonstrated superior performance compared with Cu‐based monometallic catalysts. Some recent reports have represented more catalytic properties in CuPd for the Sonogashira reaction, CuZn for synthesis of triazines, CuMn for aerobic oxidative synthesis of benzothiazoles and quinoxalines, CuNi for regioselective γ,δ‐diarylation of alkenyl ketimines, hydrodeoxygenation of dibenzofuran and hydrogen generation, CuPt as electrocatalyst, CuAg for enamination of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, selective ammonia oxidation, click reaction and as a photocatalyst, CuAu in click reaction, as an electrocatalyst and CuFe for the Ulmann–Goldberg coupling reaction, than their monometallic Cu constituent.…”