Concerted catalysis of Ni-Pd/GO for selective nitriles hydrogenation to secondary amines

A novel explosion-assistant strategy was developed to fabricate graphene oxide supported nickel and palladium three-component catalyst Pd/Ni/NiO/GO for hydrogenation of nitriles to secondary amines. The explosion during the synthesis of catalyst was essential to the well-dispersion of palladium and the decomposition of metal salt precursors. Palladium component was well anchored on nickel oxide and graphene oxide sheets, which regulated the catalytic performance of palladium. This special structure facilitated the spillover of active hydrogen species generated on palladium component to nickel (oxide) and graphene oxide sheets, enhancing the catalytic activity of the bimetallic catalyst. This work developed an effective strategy to fabricate multi-component metal catalyst with low-cost transition metal as main composition for selective hydrogenation of nitriles to secondary amines.