Active Skeletal Ni Catalysts Prepared from an Amorphous Ni‐Zr Alloy in the Pre‐Crystallization State

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from an amorphous Ni₄₀Zr₆₀ alloy (a‐NiZr) by heating at various temperatures under vacuum, followed by the selective extraction of Zr moieties by an HF treatment. Each sample was characterized by various spectroscopic methods, and the catalytic performance was tested in the hydrogenation of 1‐octene. The differences in preparation temperatures of a‐NiZr strongly affected the catalytic performance of the obtained catalysts, whereby those prepared from heated a‐NiZr in the pre‐crystallization state exhibited higher catalytic activity. Especially, moderate thermal treatment of a‐NiZr at a temperature slightly lower than that for its crystallization, that is, ～573 K, resulted in a significant enhancement of the catalytic activity. Such prepared skeletal Ni catalyst can also be used efficiently for hydrogen generation from aqueous hydrazine.     

Effects of Ti and Zr Substituted on the Electrochemical Characteristics of MgNi-Based Alloy Electrodes

Mg-based hydrogen storage alloys MgNi, Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni, and Mg0.9Ti0.06Zr0.04Ni were successfully prepared by means of mechanical alloying （MA）. The structure and the electrochemical characteristics of these Mg-based materials were studied. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） result shows that the main phases of the alloys exhibit amorphous structure. The scanning electron microscopy （SEM） photograph shows that the particle size of Ti and Zr substituted alloys was about 2-4 μm in diameter. The cycle lives of the alloys were prolonged by adding Ti and Zr. After 50 charge-discharge cycles, the discharge capacity of Mg0.9Ti0.06Zr0.04Ni was 91.74% higher than that of MgNi alloy and 37.96% higher than that of Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloy. The main reason for the electrode capacity decay is the formation of Mg（OH）2 （product of Mg corrosion） at the surface of alloy. The potentiodynamic polarization result indicates that Ti and Zr doping improves the anticorrosion in an alkaline solution. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） results suggest that proper amount of Ti and Zr doping improves the electrochemical catalytic activity significantly.     

Synthesis of Ni–Ru Alloy Nanoparticles and Their High Catalytic Activity in Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane

We report the synthesis and characterization of new Ni_xRu_1?x (x=0.56–0.74) alloy nanoparticles (NPs) and their catalytic activity for hydrogen release in the ammonia borane hydrolysis process. The alloy NPs were obtained by wet‐chemistry method using a rapid lithium triethylborohydride reduction of Ni²⁺ and Ru³⁺ precursors in oleylamine. The nature of each alloy sample was fully characterized by TEM, XRD, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found that the as‐prepared Ni–Ru alloy NPs exhibited exceptional catalytic activity for the ammonia borane hydrolysis reaction for hydrogen release. All Ni–Ru alloy NPs, and in particular the Ni_0.74Ru_0.26 sample, outperform the activity of similar size monometallic Ni and Ru NPs, and even of Ni@Ru core‐shell NPs. The hydrolysis activation energy for the Ni_0.74Ru_0.26 alloy catalyst was measured to be approximately 37 kJ mol^?1. This value is considerably lower than the values measured for monometallic Ni (≈70 kJ mol^?1) and Ru NPs (≈49 kJ mol^?1), and for Ni@Ru (≈44 kJ mol^?1), and is also lower than the values of most noble‐metal‐containing bimetallic NPs reported in the literature. Thus, a remarkable improvement of catalytic activity of Ru in the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane was obtained by alloying Ru with a Ni, which is a relatively cheap metal.     

Hydrogen in amorphous TM33Zr67 (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) alloys

Hydrogen sorption properties and some corresponding changes in the crystallization of amorphous TM₃₃Zr₆₇ (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) alloys have been investigated. Relatively large amount of hydrogen was found to dissolve into the amorphous alloys during electrochemical hydrogen charging. The microstructural evolution during annealing of H-charged Ni₃₃Zr₆₇ was studied as well. The weaker bonded hydrogen desorbs in a large temperature range (440–625 K) before the crystallization of the amorphous alloys to start. A hydride phase (ZrH₂) was found to form during annealing the H-charged amorphous Ni₃₃Zr₆₇ alloy. During heating at constant heating rate the hydride decomposes at about 715 K and formation of Zr₂Ni immediately takes place. The final microstructure of the Zr₂Ni, crystallized from the H-charged matrix, is noticeably finer compared to the material crystallized from the H-free amorphous alloy, most probably due to the higher temperature of Zr₂Ni formation in the H-charged amorphous alloy than in the H-free sample.     

Cuboid Ni2P as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Generation from Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The design of high‐performance catalysts for hydrogen generation is highly desirable for the upcoming hydrogen economy. Herein, we report the colloidal synthesis of nanocuboid Ni₂P by the thermal decomposition of nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl₂ ⋅ 6 H₂O) and trioctylphosphine. The obtained nanocuboid Ni₂P was characterized by using powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. For the first time, the as‐synthesized nanocuboid Ni₂P is used as a bifunctional catalyst for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Owing to the strong synergistic electronic effect between Ni and P, the as‐synthesized Ni₂P exhibits catalytic performance that is superior to its counterpart without P doping.     

Ni-based amorphous alloy membranes for hydrogen separation at 400 °C

Amorphous alloy membranes composed primarily of Ni and early transition metals (ETMs) are an inexpensive alternative to Pd-based alloy membranes, and these materials are therefore of particular interest for the large-scale production of hydrogen from carbon-based fuels. Catalytic membrane reactors can produce hydrogen directly from coal-derived synthesis gas at 400 °C, by combining a commercial water–gas-shift (WGS) catalyst with a hydrogen-selective membrane. In order to explore the suitability of Ni-based amorphous alloys for this application, the thermal stability and hydrogen permeation characteristics of Ni–ETM amorphous alloy membranes has been examined. A fundamental limitation of these materials is that hydrogen permeability is inversely proportional to the thermal stability of the alloy. Alloy design is therefore a compromise between hydrogen production rate and durability. Amorphous Ni₆₀Nb_40−XZr_X membranes have been tested at 400 °C in pure hydrogen, and in simulated coal-derived gas streams with high steam, CO and CO₂ levels, without severe degradation or corrosion-induced failure. Ni–Nb–Zr amorphous alloys are therefore prospective materials for use in a catalytic membrane reactor for coal-derived syngas.     

Nanostructured Ni2P as a Robust Catalyst for the Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia–Borane

Ammonia–borane (AB) is a promising chemical hydrogen‐storage material. However, the development of real‐time, efficient, controllable, and safe methods for hydrogen release under mild conditions is a challenge in the large‐scale use of hydrogen as a long‐term solution for future energy security. A new class of low‐cost catalytic system is presented that uses nanostructured Ni₂P as catalyst, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity and high sustainability toward hydrolysis of ammonia–borane with the initial turnover frequency of 40.4 mol_(H2) mol_(Ni2P)^?1 min^?1 under air atmosphere and at ambient temperature. This value is higher than those reported for noble‐metal‐free catalysts, and the obtained Arrhenius activation energy (E_a=44.6 kJ mol^?1) for the hydrolysis reaction is comparable to Ru‐based bimetallic catalysts. A clearly mechanistic analysis of the hydrolytic reaction of AB based on experimental results and a density functional theory calculation is presented.     

The effect of Nb and Ni addition on crystallization behavior of amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe–Cr–B–Si alloys

The crystallization behavior of amorphous Fe–Cr–B–Si alloys in the presence of Ni and Nb elements was the goal of this study. In this regard, four different amorphous–nanocrystalline Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅M₁₀ (M=Fe, Nb, Ni, Ni_0.5Nb_0.5) alloys were prepared using mechanical alloying technique up to 20 h. Based on the achieved results, in contrast to Fe₅₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅ alloy, the amorphous phase can be successfully prepared in the presence of Ni and Nb in composition. Although the crystallization mechanism of prepared amorphous phase in different alloys was the same, the Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Nb₁₀ alloy showed higher thermal stability in comparison with other samples. The crystallization activation energy of this amorphous alloy was estimated about 410 kJ mol^?1 which was much higher than Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Ni₁₀ (195.5 kJ mol^?1) and Fe₄₀Cr₂₀Si₁₅B₁₅Ni₅Nb₅ (360 kJ mol^?1) samples. The calculated values of Avrami exponent (1.5 < n < 2.2) indicated that the crystallization process in different alloying systems is the same and to be governed by a three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth.     

Defect‐Rich Co−CoOx‐Graphene Nanocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Borane

Chemical hydrogen storage ammonia borane has attracted extensive attention as a method of efficient utilization of hydrogen energy. The high‐efficiency catalysts are the main factor restricting the hydrogen production of ammonia borane. In this paper, the synergistic effect of Co and CoO_x supported on graphene (named Co?CoO_x@GO‐II) promotes the efficient hydrogen production of ammonia borane, and its catalytic hydrogen production rate can reach 5813 mL min^?1 g_Co^?1 at 298 K, the corresponding TOF is 15.33 min^?1. After five stability tests, Co?CoO_x @GO‐II maintained 65% of its original catalytic performance. The synergy of metal and metal oxide and the defects in the atomic arrangement ensure the catalytic activity, the large specific surface area of graphene ensures the dispersion and fixation. This strategy may provide a possibility to design high‐performance transition metal catalysts.     

Oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on the surface of crystalline and amorphous Cu60Zr40 alloys

The activity of amorphous and crystalline Cu₆₀Zr₄₀ alloys has been studied. Preoxidation of the alloys results in enhanced activity. The amorphous samples reveal a lower catalytic activity. An active catalyst for the oxidation of CO is obtained from the crystalline copper-zirconium alloy.     

Study of hydrogen evolution reaction on Ni–P amorphous alloy in the light of experimental and quantum chemistry

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on Ni–P alloys was investigated experimentally and theoretically. First Ni–P alloys with P content in the range from 5.8 to 10.0 wt% were prepared by electrodeposition. The best catalysis to the HER was found on the Ni–P alloys with P content of 6.0 wt% (10.8 at%). In order to understand the function of P element in Ni–P amorphous alloys for the HER, the density-functional theory (DFT) method and front molecular orbital (FMO) theory were used to analyze the function of P element in Ni–P amorphous alloys for the HER. The research shows: it is easier for water molecule to get the first electron and form Ni_n+1–H and Ni_nP–H on Ni_n+1 clusters than on Ni_nP clusters, but it is more difficult for water molecule to get the second electron from Ni_n+1–H than Ni_nP–H. The strength of Ni_n+1–H bond is always greater than that of Ni_nP–H. It means it is more difficult for hydrogen evolutes from Ni_n+1 clusters than Ni_nP clusters. Regardless of which step among all steps of the HER is the rate-control step, the Ni–P alloys with P contents being in a range of 9.1–14.3 at% would be always good to the whole HER.     

Selective CO methanation over amorphous Ni-Ru-B/ZrO2 catalyst for hydrogen-rich gas purification

Amorphous Ni-Ru-B/ZrO₂ catalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method. The effects of Ni-Ru-B loading and Ru/Ni mole ratio on the catalytic performance for selective CO methanation from reformed fuel were studied, and the catalysts were characterized by BET, ICP, XRD and TPD. The results showed that Ru strongly affected the catalytic activity and selectivity by increasing the thermal stability of amorphous structure, promoting the dispersion of the catalyst particle, and intensifying the CO adsorption. For the catalysts with Ru/Ni mole ratio under 0.15, the CO methanation conversion and selectivity increased significantly with the increasing Ru/Ni mole ratio. Among all the catalysts investigated, the 30 wt% Ni-Ru-B loading amorphous Ni₆₁Ru₉B₃₀/ZrO₂ catalyst with 0.15 Ru/Ni mole ratio presented the best catalytic performance, over which higher than 99.9% of CO conversion was obtained in the temperature range of 230°C～250°C, and the CO₂ conversion was kept under the level of 0.9%.     

Multi‐shaped Amorphous Alloy Ni‐B: Ultrasonically Aided Complexing‐reduction Preparation,Catalytic Ability for NaBH4 Hydrolysis Yielding H2 Gas

The multi‐shaped amorphous alloy (Ni‐B) powders were prepared by complexing reduction route using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as reductant with assistance of ultrasonic wave. The selected complexants, i.e. water, ammonia, salicylic acid, and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) possess sequentially escalating complexation ability. The chemical composition and shapes of the product samples obtained under different conditions were characterized by X‐ray powder differaction, selected area electron diffraction, and transmission electron microscope. The influence of reaction conditions such as the types of Ni‐B, temperatures, NaBH₄ concentrations, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) content on the hydrogen generation rate of hydrolysis of NaBH₄ solution were investigated in detail. The results show that the as‐prepared Ni‐B powders all belong to amorphous alloy with variable element contents, and the Ni‐B sample prepared from EDTA complexation, possessing the best fineness and dispersity, has the strongest catalytic activity. The mean apparent activation energy of the hydrolysis reaction is 64.90 kJ · mol^–1. The NaBH₄ concentration has little impact on hydrogen generation rate, implying that the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH₄ solution should be the pseudo zero‐order reaction. Keeping the NaOH content at below 5 % could inhibit the hydrolysis of NaBH₄ solution, but the NaOH contents from 10 % to 15 % will significantly promote the hydrolysis rate of NaBH₄. The hydrolysis reaction mechanisms, especially the effect of NaOH content on the hydrolysis reaction were also analyzed.     

Hydrogen Production by Steam Reforming of Ethanol Over Mesoporous Ni–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalysts

This review paper reports the recent progress concerning the application of nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts to the ethanol steam reforming for hydrogen production. Several series of mesoporous nickel–alumina–zirconia based catalysts were prepared by an epoxide-initiated sol–gel method. The first series comprised Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with diverse Zr/Al molar ratios. Chemical species maintained a well-dispersed state, while catalyst acidity decreased with increasing Zr/Al molar ratio. An optimal amount of Zr (Zr/Al molar ratio of 0.2) was required to achieve the highest hydrogen yield. In the second series, Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ xerogel catalysts with different Ni content were examined. Reducibility and nickel surface area of the catalysts could be modulated by changing nickel content. Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalyst with 15 wt% of nickel content showed the highest nickel surface area and the best catalytic performance. In the catalysts where copper was introduced as an additive (Cu–Ni–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂), it was found that nickel dispersion, nickel surface area, and ethanol adsorption capacity were enhanced at an appropriate amount of copper introduction, leading to a promising catalytic activity. Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ catalysts prepared by changing drying method were tested as well. Textural properties of Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst produced from supercritical drying were enhanced when compared to those of xerogel catalyst produced from conventional drying. Nickel dispersion and nickel surface area were higher on Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst, which led to higher hydrogen yield and catalyst stability over Ni–Sr–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ aerogel catalyst.     

多孔碳负载镍纳米颗粒的制备及催化氨硼烷水解制氢

合成了蜂窝状的分级多孔碳,并以多孔碳为载体通过浸渍-化学还原法制备碳载镍(Ni/C)作为催化氨硼烷水解制氢的催化剂。采用XRD、BET、SEM、Raman、TEM等手段对样品进行了表征并研究了Ni/C室温催化性能。结果显示,多孔碳比表面积高达737 m2·g-1,具有部分石墨化结构;负载的非晶态镍纳米颗粒平均粒径约为10 nm,均匀分布在碳基材。碳载镍对氨硼烷水解反应具有良好的催化活性,镍负载量为30wt%时催化性能最佳,298 K温度下放氢速率达到1 304.67 m L·min-1·g-1,活化能为29.1 k J·mol-1,并且具备一定的催化稳定性,表明Ni/C可作为一种廉价高效的催化剂应用于催化氨硼烷水解制氢。     

＂Intelligent＂ reforming catalysts： Trace noble metal-doped Ni/Mg（A1）O derived from hydrotalcites

Trace amounts of noble metal-doped Ni/Mg(Al)O catalysts were prepared starting from Mg-Al hydrotalcites (HTs) and tested in daily start-up and shut-down (DSS) operation of steam reforming (SR) of methane or partial oxidation (PO) of propane. Although Ni/Mg(Al)O catalysts prepared from Mg(Ni)-Al HT exhibited high and stable activity in stationary SR, PO and dry reforming of methane and propane, the Ni/Mg(Al)O catalysts were drastically deactivated due to Ni oxidation by steam as purge gas when they were applied in DSS SR ofmethane. Such deactivation was effectively suppressed by doping trace amounts of noble metal on the catalysts by using a “memory effect” of HTs. Moreover, the noble metal-doped Ni/Mg(Al)O catalysts exhibited “intelligent” catalytic behaviors, i.e., self-activation and self-regenerative activity, leading to high and sustainable activity during DSS operation. Pt was the most effective among noble metals tested. The self-activation occurred by the reduction of Ni2+ in Mg(Ni,Al)O periclase to Ni0 assisted by hydrogen spillover from Pt (or Pt-Ni alloy). The self-regenerative activity was accomplished by self-redispersion of active Ni0 particles due to a reversible reductionoxidation movement of Ni between the outside and the inside of the Mg(Al)O periclase crystal; surface Ni0 was oxidized to Ni2+ by steam and incorporated into Mg(Ni2+,Al)O periclase, whereas the Ni2+ in the periclase was reduced to Ni0 by the hydrogen spillover and appeared as the fine Ni0 particles on the catalyst surface. Further a “green” preparation of the Pt/Ni/[Mg3.5Al]O catalysts was accomplished starting from commercial Mg3.5-Al HT by calcination, followed by sequential impregnation of Ni and Pt.     

多孔碳负载镍纳米颗粒的制备及催化氨硼烷水解制氢

合成了蜂窝状的分级多孔碳,并以多孔碳为载体通过浸渍-化学还原法制备碳载镍(Ni/C)作为催化氨硼烷水解制氢的催化剂。采用XRD、BET、SEM、Raman、TEM等手段对样品进行了表征并研究了Ni/C室温催化性能。结果显示,多孔碳比表面积高达737 m²·g^-1,具有部分石墨化结构;负载的非晶态镍纳米颗粒平均粒径约为10 nm,均匀分布在碳基材。碳载镍对氨硼烷水解反应具有良好的催化活性,镍负载量为30wt%时催化性能最佳,298 K温度下放氢速率达到1 304.67 mL·min^-1·g^-1,活化能为29.1 kJ·mol^-1,并且具备一定的催化稳定性,表明Ni/C可作为一种廉价高效的催化剂应用于催化氨硼烷水解制氢。     

Ni-B非晶态合金催化苯丙酮酸加氢合成苯丙氨酸

通过化学还原法制备了纳米非晶态Ni-B合金催化剂,考察了其对苯丙酮酸胺化加氢合成苯丙氨酸的催化性能.结果表明,相对于传统雷尼镍和漆原镍催化剂,非晶态合金催化剂表现出更为优异的活性和选择性,并且当非晶态Ni-B合金负载在SiO2载体上时,其活性和选择性均得到较大提高(高达97.67%).非晶态合金催化剂对苯丙氨酸合成反应表现出较好活性和选择性的原因主要是硼提供部分电子给镍的效应以及非晶态合金颗粒的纳米尺寸效应.     

Effects of Ti and Co on the Electrochemical Characteristics of MgNi-Based Alloy Electrodes

Mg-based hydrogen storage alloys MgNi, Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni and Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 were successfully prepared by means of mechanical alloying （MA）. The structure and the electrochemical characteristics of these Mg-based materials were also studied. The results of X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） show that the main phases of the alloys exhibit amorphous structures, and trace of Ni co-exists. The charge-discharge cycle tests indicate these alloys have good electrochemical active characteristics. And the cycle stability of Ti and Co doped alloy was better than that of MgNi alloy. After 50 cycle charge-discharge, the discharge capacity of the Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 alloy was much better than that of MgNi and Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloys. The discharge capacity of Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni0.9Co0.1 was 102.8% higher than that of MgNi alloy, and 45.49% higher than that of the Mg0.9Ti0.1Ni alloy. During the process of charge-discharge cycle test, the main reason for the electrode capacity fading is the corrosion of Mg to Mg（OH）2 on the surface of alloys. The Tafel polarization test indicates Ti and Co improve the anticorrosion in an alkaline solution. The EIS results suggest that proper amount of Ti and Co doping improve the electrochemical catalytical activity on the Mg-based alloy surface significantly.     

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of monodisperse Ru–B amorphous alloys with enhanced catalytic activity in maltose hydrogenation

Monodisperse Ru–B amorphous alloy catalysts were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted chemical reduction of (NH₄)₂RuCl₆ with BH ₄ ^? . With the characterization of X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electronic diffraction (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the resulting Ru–B nanoparticles were identified to be amorphous alloys ranging in size from 2.4 to 4.9 nm. During liquid-phase maltose hydrogenation, the as-synthesized Ru–B catalyst was extremely active compared to the regular Ru–B obtained via the reduction of RuCl₃ with BH ₄ ^? . The Ru–B sample prepared under ultrasonication with 60 W was proven to be the most active catalyst. Its catalytic activity was nearly 11 times that of industrial Raney Ni, and could be used repetitively for more than six times without significant deactivation.