Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene over nickel nanoparticles stabilized by filamentous carbon

Simultaneous generation of filamentous carbon and nickel nanoparticles was achieved by decomposing methane over Raney-type skeletal nickel catalyst. Nickel nanoparticles were generated by metal disintegration and stabilized by filamentous carbon. This composite material was tested as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. The active phase of the catalysts consists of nickel nanoparticles in reduced form with superficial oxide layers. The catalysts exhibited excellent performance, producing clean aniline (∼99% yield).

Graphical abstractNickel nanoparticles, generated by metal disintegration during methane decomposition on Raney Ni and stabilized by filamentous carbon, were used as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. The catalysts exhibited excellent performance, producing clean aniline. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide