Naphthalene Hydrogenation Saturation over Ni2P/Al2O3 Catalysts Synthesized by Thermal Decomposition of Hypophosphite

A series of Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni2P loadings were synthesized via thermal decomposition of hypophosphite and employed for naphthalene hydrogenation saturation. Results showed that Ni2P loading greatly affected Ni2P particle size and the number of active sites of the as-synthesized catalysts, which was derived from the variable interaction between POx and Al2O3. When the hydrogenation saturation reaction was performed at 300 degrees C, 4 MPa, a H-2/oil volume ratio of 600, and a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 3 h(-1), 98% naphthalene conversion and 98% selectivity to decalin were achieved over Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts with 10 wt % Ni2P. The superior naphthalene hydrogenation saturation performance was ascribed to the large specific surface area (169 m(2).g(-1)), small Ni2P particle size (3.8 nm), and the high number of exposed active sites (CO sorption 30 mu mol.g(-1)), which were beneficial to the adsorption and the catalyst.