Synthesis of a novel Ni/C catalyst derived from a composite precursor for hydrodechlorination

Novel carbon supported nickel catalysts were successfully prepared by in situ reduction of Ni–Al layered double hydroxide/carbon hybrid composites (NiAl-LDH/C). The results indicated that the microstructure of supported Ni catalysts was profoundly affected by the composition of composite precursors. As-synthesized supported catalysts were found to show remarkably excellent catalytic performance in the liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene. The presence of the highly dispersed metallic nickel nanoparticles with relatively small particle size over carbon matrix is proposed to be responsible for the excellent hydrodechlorination activity of the catalyst, on which a chlorobenzene conversion of 98.8% could be obtained.

► Carbon supported nickel catalyst were prepared by in situ reduction approach.
► Ni nanoparticles could be dispersed uniformly and stably on the supports.
► Supported catalysts exhibited good catalytic performance in hydrodechlorination.