Role of solid-state structure in propene hydrogenation with nickel catalysts

Abstract

Various forms of Ni-based catalysts have been prepared by different synthetic procedures, affording ordinary f.c.c. Ni metal, a novel h.c.p. Ni allotrope and amorphous NiB powders. The samples were characterized by physical and chemical methods, including XPS, WAXS and SAXS analysis. These techniques provide detailed descriptions of the degree of oxidation of the metal surface and of the physical state of the bulk. The catalytic performance of each catalyst was tested in propene hydrogenation using a flow reactor under mild conditions. Data of intrinsic catalytic activity and activation energy were obtained and are discussed in relation to the morphology and solid state of the samples studied here. The intrinsic catalytic activity of h.c.p. Ni is much higher than that of f.c.c., suggesting the paramount importance of structural features in determining catalytic activity.