Preparation of highly loaded and dispersed Ni/SiO2 catalysts

A highly loaded and dispersed Ni/SiO2–B catalyst was prepared by the precipitation method with an n-butanol drying process. Drying with n-butanol significantly increased the surface area of the catalyst as well as the reducibility and dispersion of supported nickel, leading to the high active nickel surface area (66 m2/g-catalyst). In addition, the surface acidity of the Ni/SiO2-B catalyst was significantly enhanced, as probed by the microcalorimetric adsorption of ammonia. Accordingly, this catalyst adsorbed great amount of toluene with the high initial heat of about 140 kJ/mol, and exhibited high activity for the hydrogenation of toluene to methyl cyclohexane.

A highly loaded and dispersed Ni/SiO2–B catalyst was prepared by the precipitation method with an n-butanol drying process. The catalyst exhibited high activity for the hydrogenation of toluene to methyl cyclohexane due to the high active nickel surface area and surface acidity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Drying with n-butanol greatly increased the number of surface Ni sites in Ni/SiO2.
► Nickel particles on SiO2 could be as small as 4 nm, even at the loading of 60 wt%.
► Treatment with n-butanol significantly increased the surface acidity of Ni/SiO2.
► Surface metallic Ni sites and surface acidity favored the hydrogenation of toluene.