Design of Ni-Cu supported halloysite for enhanced degradation of chitosan

Abstract

Bimetallic Ni-Cu catalysts supported on halloysite nanotubes with different metal contents (Hal-Ni80Cu20, Hal-Ni70Cu30, Hal-Ni42Cu58) were prepared and employed in the catalytic degradation of chitosan (CS). The relationship between catalytic performances of the catalysts with the different metal contents were studied. The highest catalytic activity was reported for Hal-Ni42Cu58 due to the higher proportion of the active Cu2+ in the catalytic degradation. Furthermore in Hal-Ni42Cu58, CuO persisted dominantly with Ni(OH)2 as compared to Hal-Ni80Cu20 where Cu(OH)2 was also available. Overall, the bimetallic-supported Hal catalysts displayed better catalytic activities than monometallic supported catalysts due to the synergistic effect between the metals.