Promotion of the electrochemical hydrogenation of nitrobenzene at hydrogen storage alloys studied using a solid electrolyte method

The electrocatalytic properties of an AB(5)-type hydrogen storage alloy towards the electrochemical hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds have been studied by a solid electrolyte method using electrochemical hydrogenation of nitrobenzene as a model reaction. Voltammetric studies reveal that the kinetics of the nitrobenzene electro-reduction on the hydrogen storage alloy electrode is similar to that on a Ni electrode. Aniline and p-aminophenol are produced as the reaction products. Compared to the Ni electrode, the production of aniline is considerably promoted on the hydrogen storage alloy electrode. Modifying the alloy surface with a thin layer of Cu enhances the reaction selectivity and current efficiency for aniline formation. Compared to a Cu electrode, the electrochemical hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline is promoted on the Cu-modified alloy electrode. The hydrogenation promotion effect is attributed to the chemical reaction between nitrobenzene and metal hydrides that are electrochemically generated in situ. Hydrogen storage alloys therefore make it possible to intensify the electrochemical hydrogenation process of unsaturated organic compounds.