Nature of Ni-Cu Alloys and Their Role in Chemical Reactions

Abstract

Abstract Nickel-copper alloys are widely used as catalysts. The chemical and physical properties of Ni-Cu alloys and their catalytic properties have been described quite extensively in the literature. Copper appears to be practically inactive for the hydrogenation or other related reactions unless some promotor is present with it. The mechanism by which nickel promotes copper is not clear. The activity pattern shown by the Ni-Cu alloy system in catalytic reactions is of great interest, and quite controversial results have been reported. Recent study shows that the surface concentration of nickel-copper alloys is different from that of the bulk.