Effects of nickel ethylenediamine complex on the preparation of Ni-B amorphous alloy catalyst with ultrasonic assistance

The Ni-B amorphous alloy catalysts with uniform particles were prepared by chemical reduction of nickel ethylenediamine complex by BH(4)(-) in aqueous solution with ultrasonic assistance. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, BET and H(2)-TPD techniques. When used in the hydrogenation of glucose, the as-prepared Ni-B catalyst exhibited much higher activity than the conventional Ni-B catalysts obtained via direct reduction of Ni(2+) by BH(4)(-) and Raney Ni. The higher activity could be attributed to both structure effect and electronic effect. The nickel ethylenediamine complex was found to retard and prevent an abrupt formation and agglomeration of Ni-B catalysts during the catalysts preparation. It was also found that the ultrasound plays a positive role. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.