Citric acid modified Ni3P as a catalyst for aqueous phase reforming and hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-PDO

Citric acid (CA) modified Ni3P catalysts with small particle sizes were prepared by H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) of the precursors, which were prepared by co-precipitation with Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and (NH4)2HPO4, using citric acid as the chelating agent and calcining under a N2 atmosphere. The catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts was tested in the aqueous phase reforming (APR) and hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). The effects of the CA/Ni molar ratio and reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, and time) on APR and hydrogenolysis of glycerol were investigated. The CA(1)–Ni3P catalyst exhibited the best performance at 220 °C, 0.5 MPa N2, and 8 h with 74.6% glycerol conversion and 43.2% selectivity of 1,2-PDO. The prepared CA(x)–Ni3P catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, Raman spectroscopy, CO-chemisorption and TEM. The addition of CA significantly enhanced the dispersion of Ni species in the precursors and enlarged the surface area of the catalyst. The residual carbonaceous species after calcination in N2 prevented the aggregation of Ni3P particles and promoted the reduction of the precursors. Compared with the unmodified Ni3P and CA(x)–Ni3P calcined in air, the CA(x)–Ni3P calcined in N2 with a smaller average particle size exhibited higher catalytic activities.