Chelators to assist the high dispersion of Ni_(2)P particles over mesoporous silica nanospheres for hydrogenating reaction

NizP supported catalysts exhibit high catalytic activities in hydrogenation reaction,of which the particle sizes of Ni_(2)P active phases are the key influential factor.This research focus on the effect of chelators on the size of Ni_(2)P particles over wrinkle silica nanoparticles(WSNs)by introducing chelating agents EDTA and NTA during impregnation process.The characterization results show that chelators modified cata-lysts possess smaller size of Ni_(2)P particles than the unmodified Ni_(2)P catalysts.Among all the synthesized catalysts,the EDTA modified Ni_(2)PE(1.5)/WSNs catalyst possesses smallest average particle size of Ni_(2)P,only 2.6 nm.Moreover,the Ni_(2)P catalysts with the assistance of EDTA exhibits better catalytic activity than that of NTA under high reaction temperature,which can be ascribed to the strong bonding between EDTA and Ni.And the EDTA modified Ni_(2)PE(1.5)/WSNs catalyst shows highest hydrogenation ability,almost reaching 100%decalin selectivity.