Ba-modified Ni-P amorphous alloy/acidified bentonite catalyst: preparation and the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline

In the present work, a Ba-modified Ni-P amorphous alloy/acid bentonite catalyst (Ni-P A/B) was prepared, and used for nitrobenzene hydrogenation to aniline in the liquid phase. The results showed that Ba addition could increase the dispersion of the active component Ni on the support and further form more Ni active centers. The addition of Ba could provide electrons for Ni, increasing the electron cloud density around Ni and improving the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst. At the condition of a Ba addition amount of 3.0%, a hydrogen pressure of 1.4 MPa, and a reaction temperature of 105 °C, the optimal nitrobenzene conversion and aniline selectivity was 99.0% and 98.9%, respectively. The catalyst maintained excellent stability when it was reused 10 times, which was 4 times greater than that of Ni-P A/B.