Nickle nanoparticles highly dispersed on reduced graphene oxide for ammonia decomposition to hydrogen

The Ni/reduced graphene oxide catalysts are synthesized by an in situ hydrothermal method, using the graphene oxide as the support precursor. The textural and structural properties of the prepared Ni/reduced graphene oxide catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, H2-Temperature-programmed reduction, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The catalytic performances of the prepared Ni/reduced graphene oxide catalysts for ammonia decomposition display the enhanced activity. The effect of reduced graphene oxide support and the influence of nickel content on catalytic activity are evaluated, and the Ni/reduced graphene oxide catalysts exhibit higher catalytic activity than reduced graphene oxide support and the pure NiO. The ammonia has a conversion of 81.9% and 27.4 mmol/min gcat H2 rate at 700 °C when the 10%-Ni/reduced graphene oxide catalyst used.