Hierarchical Flower-Like NiCu/SiO2 Bimetallic Catalysts with Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Stability for Petroleum Resin Hydrogenation

Abstract

The catalytic hydrogenation of petroleum resin (PR) is an efficient process to produce high-value-added hydrogenated PR with improved performance and wide applications. Herein, a hierarchical flower-like NiCu/SiO₂ bimetallic catalyst has been successfully prepared by reducing the hierarchically structured NiCu silicate precursor ((Ni,Cu)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄) and applied for PR hydrogenation. The generated bimetallic NiCu alloy nanoparticles are anchored on the surface of the intercrossed silica nanoplatelets, constructing a unique multilevel NiCu/SiO₂ superstructure. Moreover, the addition of Cu could not only lower the reduction temperature of Ni species but also provide electrons to Ni to form electron-rich active sites. The NiCu/SiO₂ bimetallic catalyst exhibited enhanced catalytic activity and stability for PR hydrogenation. The hydrogenation degrees for C₅PR and C₉PR could reach up to 94.9 and 96.3%, respectively, which are much higher than those catalyzed by the catalyst prepared via an impregnation method (85.9 and 88.7%). Such notably enhanced performances could be ascribed to the synergistic effect between Ni–Cu bimetals and the highly porous superstructure. Our findings provide guidance for the design and synthesis of efficient and stable bimetallic nanocatalysts for PR hydrogenation.