Synthesis and catalytic performance of a novel RuCuNi/CNTs nanocomposite in hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Abstract

Trimetallic RuCuNi nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully immobilized on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a simple liquid impregnation-reduction method, and the RuCuNi/CNTs catalyst was applied to the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) at room temperature. All the catalyst activity from different metal Ru, Cu, Ni supported on CNTs have been detailedly investigated. Well dispersed RuCuNi nanoparticles are stabilized and immobilized by CNTs. The research results show that the RuCuNi/CNTs nanomaterials exhibit a higher catalytic activity than those of monometallic Ru, Cu, Ni and bimetallic RuCu, RuNi counterparts loadings as well as RuCuNi NPs, owing to the strong trimetallic synergistic effects, uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs and bi-functional effects between the RuCuNi nanoparticles and the support of CNTs. The activation energy (Ea) and the turn over frequency (TOF) of this RuCuNi/CNTs catalyst are 36.67 kJ/mol and 311.15 mol H2 min−1 (mol Ru)−1, respectively. In addition, the catalytic stability during the recycling tests also has an outstanding performance for the hydrolysis of AB.