Synthesis of a supported nickel boride catalyst under microwave. irradiation

Supported nickel boride (Ni-B) catalysts were prepared by a silver-catalyzed electroless plating method under microwave irradiation. Two solvents of plating solution, water and ethylene glycol, were used to study the effect of microwave irradiation on plating. The Ni-B catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their catalytic performances were evaluated by hydrogenation of acetophenone. The results showed that the particle size and load of Ni-B increased much more under microwave irradiation, when the water was used as solvent. The supported Ni-B catalyst prepared from ethylene glycol bath exhibited higher catalytic activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation, due to its higher boron content in Ni-B particles. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.