Synthesis of Highly Loaded Highly Dispersed Nickel on Carbon Nanofibers by Homogeneous Deposition–Precipitation

Highly loaded (45 wt%) Ni on graphitic carbon nanofiber (diameter 50nm) catalysts were prepared by means of homogeneous deposition–precipitation (HDP) from an aqueous solution. The obtained Ni metal particles were small (9nm). This shows clearly that HDP can be used for the preparation of catalysts based on inert supports, like carbon nanofibers, which cannot form surface co-precipitates between the catalyst support and the metal precursor. The latter is known to be a crucial step in the preparation of metal-on-oxidic support catalysts. The oxygen-containing groups on the surface of the carbon nanofiber act as nucleation and anchoring sites in the deposition of highly dispersed Ni.