Catalytically active gauze-supported skeletal nickel prepared from Ni–Zn alloys electrodeposited from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture

•Electrodeposition of nickel–zinc alloys from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone mixture.•Chemical removal of zinc to yield an active, gauze-supported skeletal nickel.•The catalyst is more active and selective than the commercial catalyst.•The catalyst is reusable without loss of selectivity.

Nickel–zinc alloys were electrodeposited on copper gauze from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture containing nickel chloride and zinc chloride. The as-deposited nickel–zinc alloys have compact microstructures with very small crystallites (approximately 3 nm) and smooth surfaces. The nickel content could be varied between 20 and 90 wt.% by controlling the temperature of the electrolyte. After alkaline leaching, a gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst was obtained. The catalyst was benchmarked against commercial aluminum based Raney nickel in liquid phase hydrogenation of acetophenone. The gauze-supported zinc based skeletal nickel was more active and selective as compared to the commercial aluminum based Raney nickel. In addition, the gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst could be reused without any hydrogen pretreatment. The activity of the reused catalyst decreased by 20%, but it retained its excellent selectivity.

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