A highly loaded and dispersed Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst for the hydrotreating reactions

A highly loaded P-Ni/SiO2 catalyst with the high active nickel surface area was prepared by the co-precipitation method with an n-butanol drying process. Phosphorization of this catalyst with 10%PH3 in H2 at 423 K resulted in a supported Ni2P catalyst P-Ni2P/SiO2. This catalyst showed the high surface area (152 m2/g) with highly and uniformly dispersed Ni2P nano-particles (∼4.2 nm). Thus, it possessed the high density of active sites of Ni2P as titrated by the adsorption of CO (263 μmol/g). Accordingly, it exhibited excellent performance for the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene, hydrodenitrogenation of quinoline and hydrogenation of tetralin in a model diesel.

Graphical abstract. A highly loaded and dispersed 60%Ni/SiO2 was phosphorized with PH3 at 423 K to form a Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst (P-Ni2P/SiO2). This catalyst exhibited the high surface area (152 m2/g) and highly and uniformly dispersed Ni2P nano-particles (∼4.2 nm) on the surface. It thus possessed great amount of surface active sites of Ni2P as titrated by the adsorption of CO (263 μmol/g). Accordingly, the catalyst exhibited the excellent performance for the hydrotreating reactions in a model diesel.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► A highly loaded and dispersed Ni/SiO2 catalyst was phosphorized with PH3 to form a Ni2P/SiO2. ► The Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst adsorbed lots of CO and possessed the high density of active sites of Ni2P. ► The Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst exhibited the excellent performance for the hydrotreating reactions.