Temperature-induced selectivity enhancement in hydrogen generation from Rh–Ni nanoparticle-catalyzed decomposition of hydrous hydrazine

In this work, we found that Rh–Ni bimetallic nanocatalysts, with a rhodium content as low as 10 mol %, prepared by the coreduction of the corresponding metal chlorides, exhibit excellent catalytic activity to the decomposition of hydrous hydrazine, producing hydrogen with 100% selectivity at 323 K. The present catalyst with low noble-metal content promotes the practical use of the hydrogen-storage system based on the catalytic complete decomposition of hydrazine in aqueous solution at ambient conditions.

► Temperature plays a crucial role in selective decomposition of hydrous hydrazine to hydrogen. ► The Rh–Ni alloy nanocatalyst, Rh10Ni90, having only 28% H2 selectivity at 298 K, shows 100% H2 selectivity at 323 K. ► The significant decrease of Rh content encourages the practical application of the Rh–Ni catalysts.