Synthesis, Characterization and Using of Nano - Nickel Metal Loaded on Egyption Kaolin for Reduction of p-Nitrophenol to p-Aminophenol

Abstract

The p-aminophenol was prepared by reduction of p-nitrophenol over nano-sized nickel catalysts without support and with Egyptian kaolin as support. Hydrazine hydrate was used as hydrogen source in this reaction. Using solutions of nickel nitrate of appropriate concentrations to obtain catalysts with concentrations 2.5, 5 and 10% nickel loaded on Egyptian kaolin. The prepared Ni catalysts were characterised using X-ray and SEM before and after reduction of p-nitrophenol. The results showed that the degree of crystallinity of nano nickel particles was decreased after the reduction with agglomeration of nano nickel particles. The reduction of p-nitrophenol was performed with different Ni-concentrations from 2.5-10%. The results showed that the increase of Ni-content led to a decrease of the time taken for complete reduction of p-nitrophenol and showed that Ni supported on kaolin was more active than the unsupported Ni catalyst for reduction of p-nitrophenol to p- aminophenol.