MCM-41-supported ultrafine PtNi nanoparticles as highly active catalysts for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane hydrolysis and tandem reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH 3 BH 3 , AB) is considered to be a promising, secure and effective route for hydrogen generation on-demand. Developing highly efficient catalysts for hydrogen production from AB hydrolysis is of considerable important but remains a huge challenge. Herein, a series of bimetal PtNi nanoparticles (NPs) were immobilized on mesoporous MCM-41 via a facile impregnation-reduction method. Attributing to the regular pore channel and high surface area of the mesoporous zeolite support as well as the structural property of PtNi alloys and the synergistic effect between Pt and Ni atoms, the Pt 0.4 Ni 0.6 /MCM-41 catalyst exhibits superb catalytic activity towards hydrogen generation from AB hydrolysis. The turnover frequency (TOF) value reaches 939 mol H2 (mol Pt ∙min) −1 at 298 K, which is more than 3 times higher than that of monometallic Pt/MCM-41. In addition, the Pt 0.4 Ni 0.6 /MCM-41 catalyst exhibits superior catalytic performance in tandem hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol by coupling with hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB.