Simultaneous Elimination of Pyrophoricity and Enhancement of Activity of Raney Nickel by Carbon Deposition: Synthesis of Highly Active NiC Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractNickel‐carbon composite materials (NiC catalysts) are synthesized by decomposing methane over Raney‐type skeletal nickel catalysts. The NiC catalysts are evaluated in the hydrogenation of cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene, nitrobenzene, and para‐chloronitrobenzene. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the catalysts consist of nickel in its metallic form with superficial oxide layers, carbon, and aluminum oxide/hydroxide. The catalysts exhibited excellent hydrogenation activity, superior to the parent Raney nickel.