Improving the performance of catalysts through precise microstructural design is important for their applications. Herein, a series of nanoflower-shaped NiCu nanoalloy/nickel-copper silicate (NiCuSi)/attapulgite (ATP) nanocomposite catalysts was successfully constructed. Initially, the NiCuSi/ATP substrates were prepared using Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions to induce the epitaxial growth of acid-leached ATP. Afterwards, the domain-limited Ni2+ and Cu2+ ions in the silicon framework of NiCuSi were transformed to ultra-small NiCu nanoalloy particles (∼5.71 nm) through an in-situ reduction process. Due to the unique morphology and structure, the catalyst exhibited a specific surface area of up to 227.05 m2/g, which exposed abundant active sites to contact with the reactant molecules. The uniformly dispersed ultra-small NiCu nanoalloys effectively promoted the rapid transfer of interface electrons, resulting in excellent catalytic efficiency of the catalyst. Its catalytic reduction rate for PNP is as high as 0.374 s−1, equivalent to those of the precious metal catalysts, and the excellent catalytic efficiency remains at 98.53 % even after 10 cycles. This study provides a universal and efficient method to develop highly active and stably nanocomposite catalysts from natural and green carries.
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