Characterization and Catalytic Properties of a Rapidly Quenched Ni-RE-P-Al Catalyst

A Ni-RE-P-Al catalyst prepared by alkaline extraction of a rapidly quenched Ni-RE-P-Al alloy was characterized by means of ICP, BET, XRD, XPS and TEM. The results show that the rapidly quenched Ni-RE-P-Al alloy contained less crystalline Al_3Ni than Al-Ni alloy. After alkaline extraction, most of Al in the Ni-RE-P-Al alloy was leached out and the resulted Ni-RE-P-Al catalyst presented a sponge structure similar to Raney Ni. Although crystalline Ni is the major phase in the Ni-RE-P-Al catalyst and Raney Ni, amorphous Ni-P phase has been detected in the Ni-RE-P-Al catalyst. Studies on catalytic hydrogenation of toluene, phenyl ethylene, acetylene benzene, nitrobenzene, cyclohexanone and adiponitrile in liquid phase showed that the activity and selectivity of this Ni-RE-P-Al catalyst are superior to those of Raney Ni, especially at low temperatures. The amorphous phase is considered to be responsible for its superior catalytic properties.