Preparation, characterization and catalytic performance of carbon nanotubes promoted Ni-B amorphous alloy

Ni-B and Ni-B/CNTs amorphous alloy catalysts were prepared by chemical reduction and impregnation-chemical reduction methods, respectively, and characterized by TEM, ICP, XPS, XRD, BET and CO chemisorption techniques. Their catalytic activities were evaluated in acetylene selective hydrogenation reaction. Based on characterizations, the effects of carbon nanotubes on Ni-B amorphous alloy were attributed to both its structure effect, dispersing Ni-B particles, leading to bigger surface area of active nickel and enhancing the thermal stability, and the electronic effect, resulting in electron-rich nickel centers. Therefore, the superior thermal stability and acetylene selective hydrogenation activities of Ni-B/CNTs to Ni-B amorphous catalyst were obtained in the present study.