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Multiply Confined Nickel Nanocatalysts Produced by Atomic Layer Deposition for Hydrogenation Reactions

01-09-2015

 

To design highly efficient catalysts, new concepts for optimizing the metal–support interactions are desirable. Here we introduce a facile and general template approach assisted by atomic layer deposition (ALD), to fabricate a    multiply confined Ni-based nanocatalyst. The Ni nanoparticles are not only confined in Al2O3 nanotubes, but also embedded in the cavities of Al2O3 interior wall. The cavities create more Ni–Al2O3 interfacial sites, which            facilitate hydrogenation reactions. The nanotubes inhibit the leaching and detachment of Ni nanoparticles.             Compared with the Ni-based catalyst supported on the outer surface of Al2O3 nanotubes, the multiply   confined catalyst shows a striking improvement of catalytic activity and stability in hydrogenation reactions. Our ALD        -assisted template method is general and can be extended for other multiply confined nanoreactors, which may     have potential applications in many heterogeneous reactions.The research was conducted at the SSRF           beamline 14W1.

 

 

 

Preparation process of catalysts

  Links: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 9006-9010