Mesoporous nickel containing silica-pillared clays (Ni-SPC): Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior for cracking of plant asphalt

The nickel containing silica-pillared clay (Ni-SPC) derivatives were synthesized using a novel method. The characterization results show that Ni-SPC derivatives keep the layered structure and with the uniform mesoporous structure in the gallery regions. The nickel species had been incorporated into the gallery silica frame structure and the higher nickel loading would result extra framework nickel oxide concentration in the silica-pillars surface. The catalysis of the Ni-SPC derivatives was tested by catalytic cracking of plant asphalt. The Ni-SPC derivatives demonstrated a good conversion and an excellent selectivity to gas and gasoline fraction.