Precise control of the growth and size of Ni nanoparticle on Al2O3 by a MOF-derived strategy

The precise synthesis of well-controlled metal nanoparticles on various supports is one of the most challenging issues in their applications for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. We herein propose an effective method to generate small Ni nanoparticles at high loading content of 20 wt% with homogeneous dispersion on Al2O3 regardless of low-temperature or high-temperature reduction. MIL-Al (110) was selected as the host for the fabrication of Ni nanoparticles with the size mainly at ~5 nm after reduction at 600 or 800 °C. Conventional Al2O3 loaded Ni with the same amount shows a different behavior, that is, the particle size of Ni nanoparticles grows from 12.5 ± 1.8 nm after reduction at 600 °C to 20.0 ± 2.4 nm after reduction at 800 °C. The formation of surface NiAl2O4 spinel structure on Ni/Al2O3 sample and the inherent confinement effect from pristine MIL-110 (Al) contributes to the stabilization of small Ni nanoparticles with a high loading content after different reduction conditions. These results will open a possibility for rationally designing and fabricating highly dispersed metal nanoparticles on certain supports.