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. [Display omitted] •The actual hydrogen yield of Al-ethanol reaction was high up to 97 %.•NiCu bimetallic nanoparticles in-situ formed catalyzed Al-ethanol reaction.•NiCu/Al2O3 catalyst with excellent performance can be obtained after Al-ethanol reaction.