Fabrication of Pt-loaded NiCo nanochains with superior catalytic dehydrogenation activity

A new magnetic Pt-loaded NiCo nanochain, with the diameter from 80 nm to 120 nm, has been prepared through microwave-induced assembly process followed by the galvanic displacement performance. Pt nanoparticles are distributed on the surface of NiCo nanochains. The products are investigated as hydrolytic dehydrogenation catalyst for potential hydrogen energy applications. Compared with NiCo nanochains, the Pt-loaded NiCo nanochains present exceedingly high catalytic activity toward the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane aqueous under ambient atmosphere at room temperature, where the Ni16Co80/Pt-4 nanochains exhibit high catalytic activity with a lower activation energy of 45.72 kJ mol(-1) and a superior dehydrogenation rate of 1.17 x 10(4) mL min(-1) g(-1), suggesting the potential application in hydrogen fuel and chemical industry. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.