Graphitic nanofibers supported NiMn bimetallic nanoalloys as catalysts for H2 generation from ammonia borane

Bimetallic nickel manganese nanoalloy-decorated graphitic nanofibers were prepared using electrospinning. The introduced catalysts were explored as an effective and inexpensive catalyst for H-2 generation from ammonia borane using hydrolysis. Standard techniques were used to determine the morphology and chemical composition of the nanofibers. Characterization indicated successful formation of bimetallic nickelmanganese-decorated graphitic nanofibers. Introduced effective catalysts showed a high reusability for H-2 generation using ammonia borane hydrolysis at low concentrations and temperatures. All formations of the introduced catalysts demonstrated a higher catalytic activity in H-2 generation than nickel-decorated carbon nanofibers. Samples composed of 55 wt% nickel and 45 wt% manganese showed the best catalytic activity compared with other formulations. Initial turnover frequency (TOF) of this sample was 58.2 min(1), twice the TOF of the manganese-free catalyst. Kinetics and thermodynamics revealed that the catalyst concentration followed the pseudo-first order reaction while the ammonia borane concentration follow the pseudo-zero order reaction, providing activation energy of 38.9 kJ mol(-1). (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, bimetallic nickel-manganese nanoalloy-decorated graphitic nanofibers were successfully prepared using electrospinning and exhibited high reusability and catalytic activity for hydrogen generation. Samples composed of 55 wt% nickel and 45 wt% manganese showed the best catalytic activity with an initial turnover frequency (TOF) of 58.2, twice that of the manganese-free catalyst.