Preparation of nanoporous CeO2 catalyst supports by chemical treatment of amorphous alloys and investigation of Ni/CeO2 catalytic activity

Abstract

Nanoporous CeO2 was prepared implementing the dealloying method on precursors consisting of CeAl alloys characterized by different atomic arrangements. In fact, the atomic arrangement of the precursor alloy strongly influence the surface area of CeO2 in the final product. Nanoporous CeO2 with quite high surface area were formed when an amorphous CeAl alloy was used as the precursor. The catalytic performance of the catalyst that Ni was supported on CeO2 prepared from amorphous alloy were evaluated based on the reaction whereby molecular hydrogen is released from ammonia borane. A high level of catalytic activity was observed due to that fine Ni particles were dispersed on CeO2 prepared from amorphous alloy with quite high surface area.