Tri-component noncrystalline Ni–Cu–B nanotubes with enhanced stability and catalytic performance for hydrogenation of p-chlorinitrobenzene

• Tri-component Ni–Cu–B noncrystalline alloy nanotubes have been prepared.
• The catalytic hydrogenation of p-chlorinitrobenzene was studied.
• Ni–Cu–B nanotubes show higher catalytic activity and stability than Ni–B nanotubes.
• Interaction between Ni and Cu may contribute to the superior catalytic performance.

Noncrystalline bi-component alloy nanotubes, e.g. Ni–B nanotubes, have manifested their superior catalytic performance for some hydrogenation reactions. Their related potential applications, however, are limited due to their instability. Herein, tri-component noncrystalline Ni–Cu–B alloy nanotubes were prepared through liquid crystals as templates. In the liquid-phase hydrogenation of p-chlorinitrobenzene, the as-prepared noncrystalline Ni–Cu–B alloy nanotubes exhibited higher catalytic activity and better stability than Ni–B alloy nanotubes, due to the electronic interaction between the nickel and copper.