Skeletal Ni Catalysts Prepared from Amorphous Ni-Zr Alloys: Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from Ni-Zr alloys, which possess different chemical composition and atomic arrangements, by a combination of thermal treatment and treatment with aqueous HF. Hydrogen generation from ammonia borane over the skeletal Ni catalysts proceeded efficiently, whereas the amorphous Ni-Zr alloy was inactive. Skeletal Ni prepared from amorphous Ni30 Zr70 alloy had a higher catalytic activity than that prepared from amorphous Ni40 Zr60 and Ni50 Zr50 alloys. The atomic arrangement of the Ni-Zr alloy also strongly affected the surface structure and catalytic activities. Thermal treatment of the amorphous Ni-Zr alloys at a temperature slightly lower than the crystallization temperature led to an increase of the number of surface-exposed Ni atoms and an enhancement of the catalytic activities for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane. The skeletal Ni catalysts also showed excellent durability and recyclability.