Bimetallic NixCo10-x/CeO2 as highly active catalysts to enhance mid-temperature ammonia decomposition: Kinetics and synergies

Catalytic ammonia decomposition is an attractive method to generate hydrogen at mid-temperatures (<700 °C) but must incorporate precious metals (Pd, Ru, etc.) to ensure high reactivity. Developing Ni-based catalysts to decompose ammonia can enhance its prospect for hydrogen generation. However, the catalytic activity of Ni is hardly satisfactory at mid-temperatures. In this work, we show the bimetallic NixCo10-x/CeO2 towards mid-temperature NH3 decomposition, with the metal loading of Ni and Co tuned. Kinetics study demonstrates that the NH3 decomposition reaction follows the Temkin Pyzhev mechanism and the synergy between Ni and Co can decrease the reaction orders regarding NH3 and increase the reaction orders regarding H2. Mechanistic results indicate that the recombinative N desorption limits the reaction rate. The synergy between Ni and Co can simultaneously decrease the energy barriers of the recombinative N desorption and mitigate the H2 poisoning effect. Therefore, Ni7.5Co2.5/CeO2 displays both high ammonia conversion (96.96%) and hydrogen formation rate (1947.9 mmol/(gcat.h)) at 650 °C. We hope the mechanism in this work can be used to guide the design of inexpensive catalysts to decompose ammonia at mid-temperatures.