Controlled synthesis and catalytic properties of mesoporous nickel–silica core–shell microspheres with tunable chamber structures

In 550 °C and H2 current, the mesoporous nickel–silica composite core–shell microspheres with tunable chamber structures have been successfully prepared by reduction of Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 microspheres, which are synthesized by the reaction between Ni(Ac)2·4H2O and SiO2 microspheres via a self-template approach. The chamber (SiO2 core sizes) and shell thickness (40–150 nm) of the nickel–silica microspheres can be controlled by adjusting the synthetic parameters of Ni3Si2O5(OH)4, such as the reaction time. After reduction, these microspheres still have the same sizes, morphologies, and core–shell structures with porous shell as before. These mesoporous nickel–silica microspheres with large BET surface area, exhibit good catalytic activity in m-dinitrobenzene (m-DNB) and high selectivity of m-phenylenediamine (m-PDA) after 3.5 h, but different selectivity of m-PDA in the progress, showing good potential in the catalyst industry.

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► Mesoporous Ni/SiO2 composite core–shell microspheres have been synthesized.
► The chamber and shell thicknesses of nickel–silica microspheres can be controlled.
► Composites exhibit good catalytic activity and selectivity in m-DNB hydrogenation.