Co(2)FeGe Heusler Alloy Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propyne Hydrogenation and Ammonia Decomposition

Heusler alloys (X(2)YZ) can be a candidate for new catalysts as well as other intermetallic compounds. We previously found good catalytic properties of Co(2)FeGe for selective hydrogenation of alkynes and developed nanoparticles of Co(2)FeGe supported on SiO(2). However, the average diameter of the nanoparticles was 23 nm, which is not small enough compared to those of state‐of‐the‐art nanoparticle catalysts. In this study, we developed SiO(2)‐supported Co(2)FeGe nanoparticles of <10 nm in diameter. A catalytic test for selective hydrogenation of propyne indicated a partial formation of sites with low selectivity including excess Co atoms. For ammonia decomposition, enhancement of turnover frequency was achieved by reducing the particle size.