Atomically Dispersed Ni/α-MoC Catalyst for Hydrogen Production from Methanol/Water
Lili Lin, Qiaolin Yu, Mi Peng, Aowen Li, Siyu Yao, Shuheng Tian, Xi Liu, Ang Li, Zheng Jiang, Rui Gao, Xiaodong Han, Yongwang Li, Xiaodong Wen, Wu Zhou, Ding Ma
Abstract
Methanol–water reforming is a promising solution for H2 production/transportation in stationary and mobile hydrogen applications. Developing inexpensive catalysts with sufficiently high activity, selectivity, and stability remains challenging. In this paper, nickel-supported over face-centered cubic (fcc) phase α-MoC has been discovered to exhibit extraordinary hydrogen production activity in the aqueous-phase methanol reforming reaction. Under optimized condition, the hydrogen production rate of 2% Ni/α-MoC is about 6 times higher than that of conventional noble metal 2% Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. We demonstrate that Ni is atomically dispersed over α-MoC via carbon bridge bonds, forming a Ni1–Cx motif on the carbide surface. Such Ni1–Cx motifs can effectively stabilize the isolated Ni1 sites over the α-MoC substrate, rendering maximized active site density and high structural stability. In addition, the synergy between Ni1–Cx motif and α-MoC produces an active interfacial structure for water dissociation, methanol activation, and successive reforming processes with compatible activity.