Mg-vacancy-induced Ni-vacancy clusters: highly efficient hydrogen production from cellulose

H(2)production from aqueous phase reforming (APR) is of great importance, but an enhancement in the H(2)production efficiency is required. Our previous work reported the catalytic production of H(2)over metal oxide (MMO)-supported Ni derived from Ni-containing layered double hydroxides (Ni-MgAl-LDHs). Herein, we report the catalytic production of H(2)from APR of cellulose over MMO-supported defect-rich Ni derived from Ni-MgAl-LDHs with abundant Mg(ii) vacancies (V-Mg). The well-retained V(Mg)during calcination under an H(2)atmosphere induced the formation of Ni vacancies not only at the Ni-MMO interface, but also on the surface of the Ni particles. An H(2)yield of up to 70.4% was achievedviathe APR of cellulose over the defect-rich Ni-MMO, which is almost 2.5 times that from the APR of cellulose reported to date (similar to 30%). A combined investigationviaquasiin situXPS, EPR, PAS, andin situFT-IR verified that the Mg vacancies on the support surface facilitate the cleavage of the C-H bond, while the Ni vacancies on the Ni particles boost the breakage of the C-C bond.