Rational Design of Multisite Trielement Ru-Ni-Fe Alloy Nanocatalysts with Efficient and Durable Catalytic Hydrogenation Performances.

The co-decomposition of non-noble metals into Ru nanoparticles (NPs) would provide multiple active centers as well as synergistically alter the reaction pathway, enhancing the catalytic hydrogenation performance. Herein, a facile route for synthesizing trielement Ru-Ni-Fe alloy NPs was proposed. The catalytic hydrogenation performance of NPs was measured using p-nitrophenol as a model. The synergistic effect of these three elements (Ru, Ni, and Fe) and synergistic catalysis of multiple crystal faces greatly improved the catalytic hydrogenation performance of Ru44Ni28Fe28 alloy NPs. Ru with more vacant orbitals showed a strong coordination with BH4- for the generation of active H species. Ni played a major role in transporting electrons and active H species, increasing the accessibility of catalytically active sites. Fe could cooperate with BH4- to produce active H species and promote electrons transfer. Ru44Ni28Fe28 alloy NPs could be reused and applied for the fabrication of films at the oil-water (ethyl acetate-water) interface. The densely packed Ru44Ni28Fe28 NP films were good Raman substrates for monitoring the complete conversion of 4-nitrothiophenol into 4-aminothiophenol. The rational design of Ru44Ni28Fe28 will broaden the application range of Ru-based catalysts and provide new insights into the rational design of other multisite alloy catalysts.