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 Ce–Al 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 Ce–Al 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.