Three eagles with one arrow: Simultaneous production of hydrogen, aluminum ethoxide, and supported metal catalysts via efficient and facile reaction between aluminum and ethanol. (15th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Junyan; Gao, Ruihong; Tong, Zhaoming; Zhang, Haijun; Duan, Hongjuan; Huang, Liang; Lu, Lilin; Jia, Quanli; Zhang, Shaowei
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 263:Part D(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-15
• Subjects: Aluminum-ethanol reaction -- Hydrogen generation -- Aluminum ethoxide -- Metal nanoparticles -- Nickel catalysts; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.125861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Complex preparation, risky storage, and expensive transportation are hindering the application of hydrogen (H2 ) energy. To overcome these, a simple, cost-effective, and zero CO2 -emission method is urgently needed. This study for the first time showed that the aluminum-ethanol (Al-ethanol) reaction without the need of complex pre-treatment can produce simultaneously hydrogen, aluminum ethoxide [Al(EtO)3 ], and supported metallic nanoparticle (NP) catalyst. Fe (3.6 nm), Co (3.5 nm), Ni (2.9 nm), and Cu (3.5 nm) NPs, in-situ generated by the galvanic replacement reaction between aluminum and metal ions, provided the catalytically active sites for the Al-ethanol reaction, effectively enhancing H2 and Al(EtO)3 formation. Consequently, the Al-ethanol reaction catalyzed by the Ni NPs with the smallest average size at 50 °C led to the formation of hydrogen at a high rate of 109 mL-H2 ·min −1 ·g-Al −1 . Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the in-situ generated Ni NPs had charge transfer with ethanol and aluminum, which significantly enhanced the ethanol adsorbing capability onto the aluminum. Moreover, recovery of high value-added Al(EtO)3 and utilization of supported metallic catalyst could additionally benefit the practical application of the Al-ethanol reaction. With the proposed "three eagles with one arrow" strategy, simultaneous generation of H2, Al(EtO)3 and supported metallic catalyst could be readily realized in a more straightforward, scalable and economical way. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The Al-ethanol-NiCl2 reaction was firstly developed to efficiently produce H2 . Metallic nanoparticles in-situ formed sufficiently catalyze Al-ethanol reaction. The work simultaneously produced H2, aluminum ethoxide and supported metallic catalyst.