Preparation and catalytic study of novel highly porous metal-carbon nanocomposites based on bimetallic Co-Ru nanoparticles

Novel method involving simultaneous formation of highly-porous carbon support and bimetallic Co-Ru nanoparticles was proposed. Joint solution of polyacrylonitrile and metal compounds in dimethylformamide was employed as a precursor of metal-carbon nanocomposites. Applying of infrared heating on the precursor allowed to reduce fabrication time of the nanocomposites significantly. The evolution of Co-Ru solid solution depended on synthesis temperature was studied. The specific surface area of metal-carbon nanocomposites dependence on temperature synthesis was shown as well. It was found that IR annealing of the precursor at 700-800 °C led to carbon matrix formation with specific surface area of about 1300 m2/g. The carbon-supported bimetallic Co-Ru nanoparticles obtained at 800 °C were tested as catalysts in hydrogen production via ethanol steam reforming. The high yield of hydrogen was recorded, whereas by-product yield was relatively low.