Highly efficient in-situ hydrogen generation from Al-ethanol reaction using NiCu bimetallic nanoparticles as catalysts

Hydrogen and Al₂O₃ supported NiCu alloy bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) catalysts were simultaneously prepared through Al-ethanol reaction with a mixed dispersion of Al powders, ethanol, nickel chloride hexahydrate, copper chloride dihydrate and aluminum chloride hexahydrate. The addition of Cu improved the dispersion of Ni and enhanced antioxidation ability. The Ni₈₀Cu₂₀ NPs demonstrated an outstanding in-situ hydrogen production performance with a hydrogen yield of 97 % and a generation rate of 85 mL-H₂-min⁻¹-g-Al⁻¹, which was 1.1 and 3.4 times compared to that of monometallic Ni and Cu NPs. Moreover, the ethylene selectivity of Al₂O₃ supported Ni₈₀Cu₂₀ NPs catalysts synthesized via subsequently freeze-drying the products from the Al-ethanol reaction, was 2 and 8 times higher than that of monometallic counterpart samples. This synergistic effect between the metals altered both the geometric and electronic properties of the catalyst. Furthermore, compared to Pd-based catalysts, the Ni₈₀Cu₂₀/Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibited comparable ethylene selectivity for the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene.