The ex situ exsolved Ni–Ru alloy from nickel–ruthenium co-doped SrFeO 3− δ perovskite as a potential catalyst for CC and CO hydrogenation

• Published in: Sustainable energy & fuels 2024-06, Vol.8 (13), p.2839-2849
• Main Authors: Bhavisha, Meloth, Balamurugan, Sarkarainadar, Gopinath, Chinnakonda S., Sakthivel, Ayyamperumal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2398-4902; 2398-4902
• DOI: 10.1039/D4SE00170B

In this investigation, the synthesis of Ni and Ru co-doped SrFeO 3− δ (SrFe 1− x − y Ni x Ru y O 3− δ ) perovskite materials was achieved through the utilization of sol–gel combustion followed by annealing treatment. The resulting annealed materials exhibited a cubic perovskite structure, and the introduction of Ni and Ru dopants led to an expansion in the unit cell parameters (lattice constant and volume). The exsolution of a bimetallic alloy nanoparticle from Ni and Ru co-doped SrFeO 3− δ was demonstrated through XRD, XPS, and TEM analyses. This exsolution process resulted in the formation of the Ni–Ru alloy well-dispersed on the brownmillerite structure (Sr 2 Fe 2 O 5 ). The exsolved Ni–Ru alloy from the parent perovskite has been studied as an effective catalyst for hydrogenation reactions. The active Ni–Ru species generated from the SrFe 0.9 Ni 0.05 Ru 0.05 O 3− δ catalyst with 1.5% Ni and 2.6% Ru exhibit better catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of CC and CO functional groups. The catalyst achieved a maximum conversion of 98% for 1-octene, with the formation of hydrogenated products as the major products (60%). Furthermore, the reduced SrFe 0.9 Ni 0.05 Ru 0.05 O 3− δ catalyst demonstrated potential for the selective hydrogenation of biomass model components, specifically furfural, with a conversion rate of 99% and a furfuryl alcohol selectivity of 91%. The uniform distribution of Ni–Ru species on the oxygen deficient perovskite support enhances the reducibility of Ni species in the presence of a trace amount of Ru by hydrogen spillover under the reaction conditions and improves the catalytic activity.