Structural and catalytic properties of supported Ni–Ir alloy catalysts for H2 generation via hydrous hydrazine decomposition

Abstract

Iridium modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared using Ni–Al hydrotalcite as precursor and tested in the selective decomposition of hydrous hydrazine for H2 generation. Compared to Ni/Al2O3, NiIrx/Al2O3 catalysts exhibited an increase of the reaction rate up to 6-fold and the H2 selectivity from 93% to above 99%. The XRD and EXAFS analysis confirmed that Ir and Ni were present in the form of Ni–Ir alloy; and the H2 differential heat of adsorption is appreciably lowered with increasing the amount of Ir in Ni–Ir alloy. High-temperature reduction, e.g. 700°C, induced the migration of Ir atoms into the Ni bulk and produced a Ni-skin surface. This structural modification is associated with a strongly decrease of activity and selectivity. EXAFS measurements were also performed on different noble metals (NM, Ir, Pt, and Au) modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in order to verify the extent of NM-Ni bimetallic bond formation, which was found to correlate with the catalytic performance.