Ni–Co alloys via controlled pyrolysis of NiCo–MOF as heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts

Abstract

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) composited on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can generate valuable materials (MNP/MOF) possessing good physical, chemical, and biological properties. The preparation of novel MNP/MOF followed by exploration of their applications has inspired great investigational enthusiasm. In this paper, Ni, Co and Ni–Co bimetallic MNP/MOF catalysts derived from MOFs were prepared by controlled pyrolysis, and then characterized by TGA, FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM, XPS and H₂-TPD, which showed that pyrolysis under H₂ (reported typically under an inert atmosphere) and the addition of Co to Ni–MOF could form Ni–Co alloy MOFs with not only a relatively complete MOFs structure but good dispersion of metal nanoparticles. In order to disclose their potential for utilization, specifically, the activity tests of the prepared novel MNP/MOF materials were conducted on the hydrogenation of toluene towards methylcyclohexane. The results confirmed that the Ni₁Co₂/MOF-325 catalyst obtained by pyrolysis of Ni₁Co₂–MOF under H₂ at 325 °C had high activity and good stability for the hydrogenation of toluene, showing excellent prospect as a hydrogenation catalyst.