Effect of loading on the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts for the hydrotreating reactions

The 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by the phosphidation of corresponding 80%Ni/Al2O3 with triphenylphosphine in liquid phase and compared with the 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 for hydrotreating reactions. Both the 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 and 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 in comparison exhibited the small and uniform Ni2P particles (6.3 and 8.4 nm, respectively), high CO uptakes (305 and 345 µmol/g, respectively) and thus high activities for the hydrotreating reactions. After the hydrotreating reactions, the small and uniform Ni2P particles were remained, although the CO uptakes on the used 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 and 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 were greatly decreased (to 68 and 95 µmol/g, respectively) due to the incorporation of S into the Ni2P surfaces. The 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 was found to be significantly more active than the 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 due to that the 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 possessed more, and more active Ni2P sites than the 60%Ni2P/Al2O3, probably due to the less S incorporated in the 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 than in the 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 during the hydrotreating reactions.

Graphical AbstractThe 60%Ni2P/Al2O3 and 80%Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by the phosphidation of corresponding 60%Ni/Al2O3 and 80%Ni/Al2O3 with triphenylphosphine in liquid phase, which exhibited the small and uniform Ni2P particles (6.3 and 8.4 nm, respectively), high CO uptakes (305 and 345 µmol/g, respectively) and thus high activities for the hydrotreating reactions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide