Preparation and hydrotreating activity of unsupported nickel phosphide with high surface area

An unsupported nickel phosphide catalyst with high surface area (130 m2/g) and high hydrotreating activity was prepared in the presence of a polymer surfactant (Triton X-114) and ethylene glycol. The resulting catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, CO and O2 chemisorption, and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy. Both polymer surfactant and ethylene glycol are necessary to obtain good texture properties and hydrotreating activities of bulk nickel phosphide catalysts.