Preparation, characterization of NiB amorphous alloy nanoparticles and their catalytic performance in hydrogenation reactions.

: Nano-sized NiB amorphous alloy catalysts were prepared by chemical reduction method through introducing AlCl3 into the preparation system. The formation of Al(OH)3 sol plays an important role in inhibiting the agglomeration of NiB nanoparticles during the reduction process. The NiB amorphous alloy nanoparticles could be obtained after the removal of Al(OH)3 by NaOH solution. The particle sizes of these alloy catalysts could be adjusted in a certain range by changing the amount of AlCl3. The resultant NiB catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of furfural and methyl isobutyl ketone, which is much higher than the NiB amorphous alloy catalyst prepared by direct reduction method. The excellent catalytic performance of NiB nanoparticles is apparently owing to the smaller particle size and higher surface area.