Porous Al63Cu25Fe12 quasicrystals covered with (Al11.5Fe13.9Cu19.7)O54.9 nanosheets

Porous Al63Cu25Fe12 quasicrystal alloys with the surfaces and the wall of pores covered with abundant (Al11.5Fe13.9Cu19.7)O54.9 nanosheets were successfully fabricated through the combination of powder metallurgy and dealloying in NaOH solutions. Their compositions, microscopic morphology, and crystal structures were investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. We found that the composite of porous Al63Cu25Fe12 quasicrystal alloys and (Al11.5Fe13.9Cu19.7)O54.9 nanosheets shows high catalytic performances in hydrogen production by methanol steam reforming at relatively low temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the catalytic mechanisms, and Cu was found to be the key element in this catalytic reaction.