Tuning catalytic performance by controlling reconstruction process in operando condition.

The catalytic performance is tunable by controlling the reconstruction process in operando conditions. The surficial and interfacial properties of catalysts determine the catalytic activity of materials. • We tuned the catalytic performance of NiAu-based materials by the heat triggered the surficial and interfacial modification. • We promoted the activity stability of catalysts for hydrogen generation by controlled the reconstruction during reaction. • We used XPS and DFT to verify the synergistic effect between Au and Ni/NiO, in which they show high similarity. Catalytic activity of nanostructured materials are closely tied with structure, thus developing nanomaterials with processable structures has arisen as a new strategy for designing high active catalysts. In this work we report the realization of controllable structural evolution of NiAu-based materials in operando conditions. The structure evolution of NiAu catalysts at atomic scale has been characterized by ex-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity for ammonia borane hydrolysis has promoted for 4.4-fold after adapting structural evolution. The catalytic stability has increased for 16-fold of maintaining 75% activity. This work provides inspiration for emerging catalysts design based on bimetallic nanoparticles with both high performance and durability in a catalytic reaction system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]