The combined modification of Ti and P to USY and its function in hydrogenation and ring opening reaction of tetralin

► Ti/P modification slightly reduced the acidity of NiW/(Al2O3 + USY) catalyst. ► Ti/P modification increased WS2 slabs stacking numbers of NiW/(Al2O3 + USY) catalyst. ► Ti/P modification improved the sulfidation degrees of W species of NiW catalyst. ► Ti/P modification enhanced selective ring opening activity of NiW catalyst.