Low cost nano materials crystallize in the NiAs structure type as an alternative to the noble metals in the hydrogenation process

Low-cost single phase NiSb and CoSb nanoparticleswere synthesized via rapid polyol and facile solvothermal methods. Both compounds showed better activity for the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to paminophenol compared to the best reported noble metal systems. The improved catalytic activity is explained based on the active site isolation mechanism.