Atomically Dispersed Ni/α-MoC Catalyst for Hydrogen Production from Methanol/Water

Methanol-water reforming is a promising solution for H-2 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 alpha-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/alpha-MoC is about 6 times higher than that of conventional noble metal 2% Pt/Al2O3 catalyst. We demonstrate that Ni is atomically dispersed over alpha-MoC via carbon bridge bonds, forming a Ni-1-C-x motif on the carbide surface. Such Ni-1-C-x motifs can effectively stabilize the isolated Ni-1 sites over the alpha-MoC substrate, rendering maximized active site density and high structural stability. In addition, the synergy between Ni-1-C-x motif and alpha-MoC produces an active interfacial structure for water dissociation, methanol activation, and successive reforming processes with compatible activity.