Synthesis of Ni/SiO2 nanoparticles for catalytic benzene hydrogenation

Nickel nanoparticles supported on silica were prepared by hydrazine reduction in aqueous medium. The obtained solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), Electron Diffraction (ED), hydrogen chemisorption, and Temperature Programmed Desorption of hydrogen (H2-TPD). The catalytic properties were evaluated for benzene hydrogenation in the temperature range 75–230 °C. XRD patterns reveal presence of the metallic nickel particles with fcc structure. Metal dispersion and hydrogen storage increase with decreasing metal particle size. The H2-TPD profiles exhibit two domains, one due to desorption of hydrogen from Ni metal and another due to spillover from metal to the support. The catalytic activity strongly depends on the metal loading. It increases with decreasing metal loading. This is attributed to metal surface area, which also increases with decreasing metal loading. Kinetic studies of benzene hydrogenation on the Ni catalysts showed that the benzene partial order is around −2. This significant negative value is ascribed to a strong adsorption of benzene on the catalyst surface.