The Effect of Titania Structure on Ni/TiO_2 Catalysts for p-Nitrophenol Hydrogenation

The catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol was investigated over Ni/TiO2 catalysts prepared by a liquid-phase chemical reduction method. The catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Results show that the titania structure has favorable influence on physio-chemical and catalytic properties of Ni/TiO2 catalysts. Compared to commercial Raney nickel, the catalytic activity of Ni/TiO2 catalyst is much superior, irrespective of the titania structure. The catalytic activity of anatase titania supported nickel catalyst Ni/TiO2(A) is higher than that of rutile titania supported nickel catalyst Ni/TiO2(R), possibly because the reduction of nickel oxide to metallic nickel for Ni/TiO2(A) is easier than that for Ni/TiO2(R) at similar reaction conditions.

Resistance to SO_2 poisoning of V_2O_5/TiO_2-PILC catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH_3

A titania pillared interlayered clay（Ti-PILC） supported vanadia catalyst（V2O5/TiO2-PILC） was prepared by wet impregnation for the selective catalytic reduction（SCR） of NO with ammonia. Compared to the traditional V2O5/TiO2 and V2O5-MoO3/TiO2 catalysts, the V2O5/TiO2-PILC catalyst exhibited a higher activity and better SO2 and H2O resistance in the NH3-SCR reaction. Characterization using TPD, in situ DRIFT and XPS showed that surface sulfate and/or sulfite species and ionic SO4^（2-）species were formed on the catalyst in the presence of SO2. The ionic SO4^（2-） species on the catalyst surface was one reason for deactivation of the catalyst in SCR. The formation of the ionic SO4^（2-） species was correlated with the amount of surface adsorbed oxygen species. Less adsorbed oxygen species gave less ionic SO4^（2-） species on the catalyst.

Poly(ethylenimine)-assisted synthesis of hollow carbon spheres comprising multi-sized Ni species for CO_(2) electroreduction

Electrochemical CO_(2) reduction to produce value-added chemicals and fuels is one of the research hotspots in the field of energy conversion.The development of efficient catalysts with high conductivity and readily accessible active sites for CO_(2) electroreduction remains challenging yet indispensable.In this work,a reliable poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI)-assisted strategy is developed to prepare a hollow carbon nanocomposite comprising a single-site Ni-modified carbon shell and confined Ni nanoparticles(NPs)(denoted as Ni@NHCS),where PEI not only functions as a mediator to induce the highly dispersed growth of Ni NPs within hollow carbon spheres,but also as a nitrogen precursor to construct highly active atomically-dispersed Ni-Nx sites.Benefiting from the unique structural properties of Ni@NHCS,the aggregation and exposure of Ni NPs can be effectively prevented,while the accessibility of abundant catalytically active Ni-Nx sites can be ensured.As a result,Ni@NHCS exhibits a high CO partial current density of 26.9 mA cm^(-2) and a Faradaic efficiency of 93.0% at-1.0 V vs.RHE,outperforming those of its PEI-free analog.Apart from the excellent activity and selectivity,the shell confinement effect of the hollow carbon sphere endows this catalyst with long-term stability.The findings here are anticipated to help understand the structure-activity relationship in Ni-based carbon catalyst systems for electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction.Furthermore,the PEI-assisted synthetic concept is potentially applicable to the preparation of high-performance metal-based nanoconfined materials tailored for diverse energy conversion applications and beyond.

Effect of calcination temperature on structure and performance of Ni/TiO_2-SiO_2 catalyst for CO_2 reforming of methane

The influence of calcination temperature on the structure and catalytic behavior of Ni/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst, for CO2 reforming of methane to synthesis gas under atmospheric pressure, was investigated. The results showed that the Ni/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst calcined at 700 ℃ had high and stable activity while the catalysts calcined at 550 and 850 ℃ had low and unstable activity. Depending on the calcination temperature, one, two, or three of the following Ni-containing species, NiO, Ni2.44Ti0.72Si0.07O4, and NiTiO3 were identified by combining the temperature programmed reduction （TPR） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） results. Their reducibility decreased in the sequence： NiO〉Ni2.44Ti0.72Si0.07O4〉NiTiO3. It suggests that high and stable activities observed over the Ni/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst calcined at 700 ~C were induced by the formation of Ni2.44Ti0.72Si0.07O4 and smaller NiO species crystallite size.

Methanation of syngas over coral reef-like Ni/Al_2O_3 catalysts

Coral reef-like Ni/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation of nickel acetate and aluminium nitrate with sodium carbonate aqueous solution in the medium of ethylene glycolye.Methanation of syngas was carried out over coral reef-like Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in a continuous flow type fixed-bed reactor.The structure and properties of the fresh and used catalysts were studied by SEM,N2 adsorption-desorption,XRD,H2-TPR,O2-TPO,TG and ICP-AES techniques.The results showed that the coral reef-like Ni/Al2O3 catalysts exhibited better activity than the conventional Ni/Al2O3-H2O catalysts.The activities of coral reef-like catalysts were in the order of Ni/Al2O3-673Ni/Al2O3-573Ni/Al2O3- 473Ni/Al2O3-773.Ni/Al2O3-673-EG catalyst showed not only good activity and improved stability but also superior resistance to carbon deposition,sintering,and Ni loss.Under the reaction conditions of CO/H2（molar ratio）=1：3,593 K,atmospheric pressure and a GHSV of 2500 h-1,CH4 selectivity was 84.7%,and the CO conversion reached 98.2%.

Selective catalytic methanation of CO in hydrogen-rich gases over Ni/ZrO_2 catalyst

Ni/ZrO2 catalysts were prepared by the incipient-wetness impregnation method and were investigated in activity and selectivity for the selective catalytic methanation of CO in hydrogen-rich gases with more than 20 vol% CO2. The result showed that Ni loadings significantly influenced the performance of Ni/ZrO2 catalyst. The 1.6 wt% Ni loading catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity among all the catalysts in the selective methanation of CO in hydrogen-rich gas. The outlet concentration of CO was less than 20 ppm with the hydrogen consumption below 7%, at a gas-hourly-space velocity as high as 10000 h-1 and a temperature range of 260 °C to 280 °C. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） and temperature programmed reduction （TPR） measurements showed that NiO was dispersed thoroughly on the surface of ZrO2 support if Ni loading was under 1.6 wt%. When Ni loading was increased to 3 wt% or above, the free bulk NiO species began to assemble, which was not favorable to increase the selectivity of the catalyst.

Comparative study of fluidized-bed and fixed-bed reactor for syngas methanation over Ni-W/TiO_2-SiO_2 catalyst

In this work,syngas methanation over Ni-W/TiO2-SiO2catalyst was studied in a fluidized-bed reactor(FBR)and its performance was compared with a fixed-bed reactor(FIXBR).The effects of main operating variables including feedstock gases space velocity,coke content,bed temperature and sulfur-tolerant stability of 100 h life were investigated.The structure of the catalysts was characterized by XRD,N2adsorptiondesorption and TEM.It is found that under same space velocity from 5000 h 1to 25000 h 1FBR gave a higher CH4yield,lower coke content,and lower bed temperature than those obtained in FIXBR.Ni-W/TiO2-SiO2catalyst possessed excellent sulfur-tolerant stability on the feedstock gases less than 500 ppm H2S in FBR.The carbon deposits formed on the spent catalyst were in the form of carbon fibers in FBR,while in the form of dense accumulation distribution appearance in FIXBR.

Improving the denitration performance and K-poisoning resistance of the V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2 catalyst by Ce^(4+) and Zr^(4+) co-doping

A series of V2O5‐WO3/TiO2‐ZrO2,V2O5‐WO3/TiO2‐CeO2,and V2O5‐WO3/TiO2‐CeO2‐ZrO2 catalysts were synthesized to improve the selective catalytic reduction(SCR)performance and the K‐poisoning resistance of a V2O5‐WO3/TiO2 catalyst.The physicochemical properties were investigated by using XRD,BET,NH3‐TPD,H2‐TPR,and XPS,and the catalytic performance and K‐poisoning resistance were evaluated via a NH3‐SCR model reaction.Ce^4+and Zr^4+co‐doping were found to enhance the conversion of NOx,and exhibit the best K‐poisoning resistance owing to the largest BET‐specific surface area,pore volume,and total acid site concentration,as well as the minimal effects on the surface acidity and redox ability from K poisoning.The V2O5‐WO3/TiO2‐CeO2‐ZrO2 catalyst also presents outstanding H2O+SO2 tolerance.Finally,the in situ DRIFTS reveals that the NH3‐SCR reaction over the V2O5‐WO3/TiO2‐CeO2‐ZrO2 catalyst follows an L‐H mechanism,and that K poisoning does not change the reaction mechanism.

Effect of Alumina Particle Size on Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts for p-Nitrophenol Hydrogenation

The catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol was investigated over Ni/Al2O3 catalyst on alumina support with different particle size. It is found that support particle size has significant influences on physiochemical properties and catalytic activity of the resulting Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, but little influence on the selec-tivity. At a comparable amount of Ni loading, the catalytic activity of Ni/Al2O3 prepared with alumina support of smaller particle size is lower. The reduction behavior of the catalyst is a key factor in determining the catalytic activity of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. The supported nickel catalyst 10.3Ni/Al2O3-3 improves the life span of the membrane by reducing fouling on the membrane surface compared to nano-sized nickel.

The nature of the deactivation of hydrothermally stable Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 catalyst in long-time aqueous phase hydrogenation of crude 1,4-butanediol

The deactivation of Ni/SiO2-Al2 O3 catalyst in hydrogenation of crude 1,4-butanediol was investigated.During the operation time of 2140 h,the catalyst showed slow activity decay.Characterization results,for four spent catalysts used at different time,indicated that the main reason of the catalyst deactivation was the deposition of carbonaceous species that covered the active Ni and blocked mesopores of the catalyst.The TPO and SEM measurements revealed that the carbonaceous species included both oligomeric and polymeric species with high C/H ratio and showed sheet.Such carbonaceous species might be eliminated through either direct H2 reduction or the combined oxidation-reduction methodologies.

Synergistic impact of cocatalysts and hole scavenger for promoted photocatalytic H2 evolution in mesoporous TiO2–NiSx hybrid

Photocatalytic solar energy conversion to hydrogen is sustainable and attractive for addressing the global energy and environmental issue. Herein, a novel photocatalytic system (NiS/Ni3S4 cocatalysts modified mesoporous TiO2) with superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution capability through the synergistic impact of NiS/Ni3S4 (NiSx) cocatalyst and efficient hole scavenger has been demonstrated. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of TiO2-NiSx hybrids with the different content of NiSx and upon different organic hole scavengers was both investigated. The hybrid of TiO2 decorated with 3%(mole ratio of Ni^2+) NiSx cocatalyst in methanol solution showed the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 981.59 μmol h^-1 g^-1 which was about 20 times higher than that of bare mesoporous TiO2. Our results suggested that the boosted hydrogen production performance is attributed to both the improved photoinduced electrons migration between NiS and Ni3S4 in cocatalyst and the high hole captured efficiency by hole scavengers of methanol.

Ni/bentonite catalysts prepared by solution combustion method for CO_2 methanation

A 20 wt% Ni/bentonite catalyst was prepared by a solution combustion synthesis (SCS), which exhibited higher activity for the CO_2methanation than that of an impregnation method (IPM), and the catalyst prepared by SCS showed a CO_2 conversion of 85% and a CH4selectivity of 100% at 300 °C, atmospheric pressure, and 3600 ml·(g cat)-1·h-1, and the catalyst exhibited stable within a 110-h reaction. The results showed higher me- tallic Ni dispersion, smaller Ni particle size, larger specific surface area and lower reduction temperature in the Ni/ bentonite prepared by SCS than that of IPM. And the Ni/bentonite prepared by the SCS moderated the interaction between NiO and bentonite.

Effects of Cerium Oxide on Ni/Al_2O_3 Catalysts for Decomposition of CH_4 and C_2H_4

Characteristics of carbon deposition of CH 4 and C 2H 4 decomposition over supported Ni and Ni Ce catalysts were studied by using a pulse reaction as well as BET, TPR, XPS and hydrogen chemisorption techniques. It is found that there is a metal semiconductor interaction (MScI) in the Ni Ce catalyst, and the effect of MScI on the carbon deposition of CH 4 decomposition is opposite to that of C 2H 4. A novel model of carbon deposition of CH 4 or C 2H 4 decomposition was proposed.

Partial oxidation of methane over SiO2 supported Ni and NiCe catalysts

Nickel and nickel-ceria catalysts supported on high surface area silica, with 6 wt% Ni and 20 wt% CeO2 were prepared by microwave assisted(co) precipitation method. The catalysts were investigated by XRD,TPR and XPS analyses and they were tested in partial oxidation of methane(CPO). The catalytic reaction was carried out at atmospheric pressure in a temperature range of 400–800℃ with a feed gas mixture containing methane and oxygen in a molecular ratio CH4/O2=2. The Ni catalyst exhibited 60% methane conversion with 60% selectivity to CO already at 500℃. On the contrary, the Ni–Ce catalyst was inert to CPO up to 700℃. Moreover, the former catalyst reproduced its activity at the descending temperatures maintaining a good stability at 600℃, over a reaction time of 80 h, whereas the latter one completely deactivated. Test of CH4 temperature programmed surface reaction(CH4-TPSR) revealed a higher methane activation temperature(> 100℃) for the Ni–Ce catalyst as compared to the Ni one. Noticeable improvement of the ceria containing catalyst occurred when the reaction test started at a temperature higher than the methane decomposition temperature. In this case, the sample achieved the same catalytic behavior of the Ni catalyst. As confirmed by XPS analyses, the distinct electronic state of the supported nickel was responsible for the differences in catalytic behavior.

Effect of TiO_2 Support on the Composition, Morphology and Catalytic Property of the NiB Amorphous Alloy Catalyst

Both the unsupported and supported NiB amorphous alloy catalysts (NiB and NiB/TiO2) were prepared by the chemical reduction method. Their catalytic activities were tested by the hydrogenation of sulfolene. The interactions between the NiB alloy and TiO2 were discussed for the first time by using XRD, ICP, SEM and TEM.

Ni-B/TiO_2 Amorphous Catalyst Used in Heavy Arenes of Petrochemicals Hydrogenation

A supported Ni-B/TiO2 amorphous catalyst was prepared by impregnation and reduction. It was characterized by XRD, SAED, DSC, XPS, etc.. The catalytic activity of catalyst was measured through the hydrogenation of heavy arenes in petrochemicals for the first time.

Insight into MgO promoter with low concentration for the carbon-deposition resistance of Ni-based catalysts in the CO_2 reforming of CH_4

The CO2reforming of CH4is studied over MgO‐promoted Ni catalysts,which were supported on alumina prepared from hydrotalcite.This presents an improved stability compared with non‐promoted catalysts.The introduction of the MgO promoter was achieved through the‘‘memory effect’’of the Ni‐Al hydrotalcite structure,and ICP‐MS confirmed that only0.42wt.%of Mg2+ions were added into the Ni‐Mg/Al catalyst.Although no differences in the Ni particle size and basicity strength were observed,the Ni‐Mg/Al catalyst showed a higher catalytic stability than the Ni/Al catalyst.A series of surface reaction experiments were used and showed that the addition of a MgO promoter with low concentration can promote CO2dissociation to form active surface oxygen arising from the formation of the Ni‐MgO interface sites.Therefore,the carbon‐resistance promotion by nature was suggested to contribute to an oxidative environment around Ni particles,which would increase the conversion of carbon residues from CH4cracking to yield CO on the Ni metal surface.?2018,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Published by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Improved visible-light photocatalytic H_2 generation over CdS nanosheets decorated by NiS_2 and metallic carbon black as dual earth-abundant cocatalysts

CdS nanosheets(NSs)photocatalysts modified with dual earth‐abundant co‐catalysts of metallic carbon black(CB)and NiS2were synthesized by a two‐step solvothermal/impregnation method.Allthe experiment results demonstrated that the co‐loading of CB and NiS2could significantly enhance the photocatalytic H2‐evolution activity of CdS NSs.The photocatalytic performance of the as‐prepared CdS/CB/NiS2samples was tested under visible light(λ≥420nm)by using an aqueous solution containing0.25mol L–1Na2S‐Na2SO3as the sacrifice agent.The CdS‐0.5%CB‐1.0%NiS2composite photocatalysts exhibited the highest H2‐evolution rate of166.7μmol h?1,which was approximately5.16and1.87times higher than those of pure CdS NSs and CdS‐1.0%NiS2,respectively.The possible mechanism for the enhanced H2‐evolution activity of CdS/CB/NiS2composite photocatalysts was proposed.The results showed that the enhanced photocatalytic H2‐evolution activities could be ascribed to the co‐loading of metallic CB and NiS2as co‐catalysts onto the surface of CdS NSs.The excellent synergetic effect between the CB and NiS2could obviously improve visible light absorption,promote separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs and boost the H2‐evolution kinetics,thus leading to an enhanced activity for H2evolution.More interestingly,the metallic CB could not only act as a cocatalyst for H2evolution,but also serve as a conductive electron bridge to promote the charge migration.This work not only demonstrates that loading CB as a co‐catalyst is a promising strategy to further boost the photocatalytic activity of CdS/NiS2composites,but also offers a new mechanistic insight into the construction of highly efficient and stable CdS NSs‐based hybrid photocatalysts with dual earth‐abundant co‐catalysts for photocatalytic applications.

Hydrogen production by glycerol reforming in supercritical water over Ni/MgO-ZrO_2 catalyst

Nano ZrO2 and MgO-ZrO2 were prepared by a self-assembly route and were employed as the support for Ni catalysts used in hydrogen production from glycerol reforming in supercritical water （SCW）. The reforming experiments were conducted in a tubular fixed-bed flow reactor over a temperature range of 600-800 ℃. The influences of process variables such as temperature, contact time, and water to glycerol ratio on hydrogen yield were investigated and the catalysts were charactered by ICP, BET, XRD and SEM. The results showed that high hydrogen yield was obtained from glycerol by reforming in supercritical water over the Ni/MgO-ZrO2 catalysts in a short contact time. The MgO in the catalyst showed significant promotion effect for hydrogen production likely due to the formation of the alkaline active site. Even when the glycerol feed concentration was up to 45 wt%, glycerol was completely gasified and transfered to the gas products containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane along with small amounts of carbon monoxide. At a diluted feed concentration of 5 wt%, near theoretical yield of 7 mole of H2/mol of glycerol could be obtained.

Syngas production by combined carbon dioxide reforming and partial oxidation of methane over Ni/α-Al_2O_3 catalysts

Ni/α-Al2O3 catalysts were found to be active in the temperature range 600 ～ 900℃ for both CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of methane.The effects of Ni loading,reaction temperature and feed gas ratio for the combination of CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of CH4 over Ni/α-Al2O3 were investigated.Catalysts of xwt%Ni/α-Al2O3（x=2.5,5,8 and 12） were prepared by wet impregnating the calcined support with a solution of nickel nitrate.XRD patterns and activity tests have verified that the 5wt%Ni/α-Al2O3 was the most active catalyst,as compared with the other prepared catalyst samples.An increase of the Ni loading to more than 5wt% led to a reduction in the Ni dispersion.In addition,by combining the endothermic carbon dioxide reforming reaction with the exothermic partial oxidation reaction,the loss of catalyst activity with time on stream was reduced with the amount of oxygen added to the feed.