A preliminary investigation into preparation and characterisation of a Raney titanium catalyst

A preliminary investigation is carried out into the preparation and characterisation of a Raney-type titanium catalyst. Titanium-40 wt % aluminium powder is used as the precursor alloy and caustic leaching as the preparation method. Leaching in 25 wt % NaOH solutions at both 50°C and 80°C results in preferential removal of aluminium and formation of a highly porous layer containing almost complete titanium. The thickness and the surface roughness of the leached layer increases with leaching time and to a less degree with higher solution temperature. The combined morphological and kinetic measurements suggest that a diffusion barrier built up in the solution/metal interphas plays a key role in the leaching process. Electrochemical tests performed with the leached powder show a significantly reduced overpotential towards cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction, thus a potentially promising catalyst. Further work is needed to establish optimal leaching parameters to increase its electrochemical activity.