Novel Ni2P/zeolite catalysts for naphthalene hydrocracking to BTX

• Ni2P/zeolite catalysts were active in naphthalene hydrocracking into BTX.
• Ni2P/Beta exhibited the best activity in naphthalene hydrocracking into BTX.
• Bifunctional activity of Ni2P/Beta facilitated the hydrocracking of naphthalene.
• Pore structure of zeolite support significantly affected BTX yield.

Ni2P catalysts supported on ZSM-5, Beta, and USY zeolites were prepared by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), applied for the hydrocracking of naphthalene, and characterized by BET, CO uptake, NH3-TPD, TEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The catalytic activity was tested at 673 K and 3.0 MPa in a three-phase fixed bed reactor for hydrocracking of naphthalene. The Ni2P/Beta exhibited best activity with a naphthalene conversion of 99%, and a BTX yield of 94.4%. Well-dispersed Ni2P particles combined with moderate acidity and porosity of zeolite Beta contributed to the enhanced hydrocracking activity of naphthalene into BTX.

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