Modification of the catalytic activity of Ni/SiO2 in ethane hydrogenolysis, benzene and co hydrogenation by reduction at high temperatures and restoration by O2−H2 treatments

Abstract

An increase of the temperature of reduction of Ni/SiO2 from 900 to 1120 K results in a decrease of catalytic activity per unit area in benzene hydrogenation and ethane hydrogenolysis. O2−H2 treatments restore the activities. This behavior is similar to that observed on Pt-based catalysts. In contrast, the CO+H2 reaction on nickel is not affected by such treatments.