Highly efficient hydrogen generation from hydrous hydrazine over amorphous Ni0.9Pt0.1/Ce2O3 nanocatalyst at room temperature

Amorphous Ni0.9Pt0.1/Ce2O3 nanoparticles with low noble-metal content have been facilely synthesized by a co-reduction route within 10 min at room temperature under ambient atmosphere. The resultant Ni0.9Pt0.1/Ce2O3 nanoparticles were successfully applied as a highly efficient catalyst for rapid and complete conversion of hydrous hydrazine. A high initial turnover frequency value of 28.1 h(-1) for Ni0.9Pt0.1/Ce2O3 nanoparticles is achieved with 100% H-2 selectivity at 298 K. Moreover, the amorphous Ni0.9Pt0.1/Ce2O3 catalyst obtained due to the addition of Ce2O3 demonstrates much better activity and much lower activation energy than that of the crystalline Ni0.9Pt0.1. The development of the improved performance and low-cost catalyst is a promising step towards the application of hydrous hydrazine as a hydrogen storage material.