The exsolved Ni-Ru alloy from nickel-ruthenium co-doped SrFeO perovskite as a potential catalyst for C&z.dbd;C and C&z.dbd;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
• ISSN: 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&z.dbd;C and C&z.dbd;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. The Ni-Ru alloy dispersed on the brownmillerite support efficiently hydrogenates biomass model component furfural into furfuryl alcohol, a value-added chemical.