Enhanced Hydrogenation Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium Nanoparticles by Solid‐Solution Alloying with Molybdenum

Abstract

We report the hydrogenation catalytic activity application of molybdenum–ruthenium (MoRu) solid‐solution alloy nanoparticles (NPs) as catalysts for the hydrogenation of 1‐octene and 1‐octyne. The solid‐solution structure of MoRu NPs was confirmed through scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) measurement. The hydrogenation catalytic activity of these NPs toward 1‐octyne and 1‐octene in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was tested. The hydrogenation catalytic activity of Ru was enhanced by alloying with Mo at the atomic level. An electronic modification of Ru by a charge transfer from Mo to Ru, which could induce the change in the adsorption energy of reactants resulting in enhanced catalytic activity, was observed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Understanding and Harnessing Nanoscale Immiscibility in Ru–In Alloys for Selective CO2 Hydrogenation

“…Bimetallic nanoparticles unlock new chemistry beyond their constituent elements and are widely applied in heterogeneous catalysis. − Uniform, homogeneously alloyed particles are especially desirable for the precise control of morphology and composition, but their preparation is only feasible for elements that are miscible, such as Cu–Au, − Co–Pt, , Fe–Pd, − and Mo–Ru. , Many element combinations are, however, not completely miscible at all atomic ratios due to the positive enthalpy of mixing, such as Cu–Sn, Ru–In, and Ag–Ni. − Alloys made from these elements are conventionally expected to be heterogeneous since the prevailing thermodynamic driving force is against mixing.…”