Influence of Reduction Temperature on the Structure and Naphthalene Hydrogenation Saturation Performance of Ni2P/Al2O3 Catalysts

Jet fuel rich in hydroaromatics and cycloalkanes could be derived from direct coal liquefaction oil via the hydrogenation saturation process. Developing an efficient catalyst to transform naphthalene hydrocarbons to hydroaromatics and cycloalkanes with high selectivity plays a significant role in realizing the above hydrogenation saturation process. In this work, Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared at different reduction temperatures via the thermal decomposition of hypophosphite. We investigated the influence of reduction temperature and the results showed that reduction temperature had an important impact on the properties of Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts. When the reduction temperature was 400 degrees C, the Ni2P particle size of the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst was 3.8 nm and its specific surface area was 170 m(2)/g. Furthermore, the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst reduced at 400 degrees C obtained 98% naphthalene conversion and 98% decalin selectivity. The superior catalytic activity was attributed to the smaller Ni2P particle size, higher specific surface area and suitable acidity, which enhanced the adsorption of naphthalene on Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst.

Automated summary

Jet fuel rich in hydroaromatics and cycloalkanes can be derived from direct coal liquefaction oil through the hydrogenation saturation process. An efficient catalyst, Ni2P/Al2O3, with high selectivity in transforming naphthalene hydrocarbons to hydroaromatics and cycloalkanes, was developed by the thermal decomposition of hypophosphite at different reduction temperatures. The results showed that the reduction temperature had a significant impact on the properties of the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts, and a reduction temperature of 400 degrees C yielded a catalyst with superior catalytic activity, attributed to smaller particle size, higher specific surface area, and suitable acidity.