Graphene supported Pt–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles for efficient hydrogen generation from KBH4/NH3BH3 hydrolysis

Abstract

Developing highly efficient and stable supported bimetallic nanoparticles catalysts via a facile strategy is one of the most admirable methods for sustainable hydrogen production from borohydride hydrolysis. Herein, we developed a facile technology for rapidly and straightforwardly manufacturing Pt–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) supported by partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) with excellent catalytic activity and outstanding durability for hydrogen production from KBH 4 and NH 3 BH 3 alkaline solution. The uniformly dispersed Pt 40 –Ni 60 BNPs with a statistical size of around 2.6 nm exhibited a surprising catalytic activity of 23,460 mol-H 2 ·h −1 ·mol-Pt −1 at 308 K, moreover, whose activity was high up to 80% of the first time even after 30 runs, demonstrating an outstanding stability. The apparent activation energy for dehydrogenation of KBH 4 and NH 3 BH 3 were respectively about 27.8 and 33.6 k J /mol for the prepared Pt 40 –Ni 60 /prGO catalyst. The extraordinary catalytic activity of the Pt 40 –Ni 60 /prGO catalyst owing to the strong charge transfer effect between Pt–Ni BNPs and graphene. • The Pt 40 –Ni 60 /prGO exhibited a high activity of 23,460 mol-H 2 ·h −1 ·mol-Pt −1 at 308 K. • The E a of KBH 4 and NH 3 BH 3 hydrolysis were respectively 27.8 and 33.6 k J /mol. • The activity of Pt 40 –Ni 60 /prGO reached up to 80% of the 1st run after 30 cycles for KBH 4 hydrolysis.