An Effect of a Support Nature and Active Phase Morphology on Catalytic Properties of Ni-Containing Catalysts in Hydrogenation of Biphenyl

Abstract

Ni/Sup catalysts were prepared, where SBA-15, γ-Al₂O₃, SiO₂ were used as supports (Sup). The synthesized catalysts were investigated by the methods of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, temperatureprogrammed reduction (TPR), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic properties of the prepared catalysts were tested in liquid phase hydrogenation of biphenyl under conditions of a flow installation at temperatures of 60–100°C, pressure of 4 MPa, volumetric feed rate of 4–10 h^–1 and H₂: feed ratio of 1500 nM.. A 1 wt % solution of biphenyl in heptane,, as a model mixture, was used. It has been established that the activity of nickel hydrogenation catalysts depends on the nickel content and the type of support. The activity of supported nickel catalysts decreases in the series Ni-12/SBA-15 > Ni-12/SiO₂ >> Ni-12/Al₂O₃. The kinetic characteristics of the biphenyl hydrogenation reaction were determined: the rate constants and activation energy for the hydrogenation of the first and second aromatic rings of the substrate molecule.