Preparation of highly active unsupported Ni–Si–Mo catalyst for the deep hydrogenation of aromatics

Abstract

Abstract A mesoporous nickel-silicon-molybdenum composite oxide with the phase of ammonium nickel (or silicon) molybdate was synthesized by chemical precipitation and unsupported nickel-silicon-molybdenum sulfide catalysts with various Ni/Si ratios were obtained by sulfidation of the oxide precursors. The oxide precursors and unsupported sulfide catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TPR, and HRTEM. The unsupported nickel-silicon-molybdenum sulfide catalysts were tested in the hydrogenation of naphthalene. It was found that the introduction of Si could increase the specific surface area and improve the pore structure of precursors, and reduce the reduction temperature of Mo species. The results of naphthalene hydrogenation showed that the introduction of Si could significantly improve the hydrogenation activity of the catalysts, especially the Ni9.5Si0.5Mo10 catalyst exhibited the highest aromatic hydrogenation activity at low temperature. Interestingly, it is found that the tetralin selectivity is 100% in the low temperature range (220–260 °C) over Si10Mo10 catalyst, which might be attractive in the production of tetralin and other industrial application.