Au/Ni/Ni(OH)2/C Nanocatalyst with High Catalytic Activity and Selectivity for m-dinitrobenzene Hydrogenation

The Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C bimetallic nanocatalysts with different Au loadings (Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-1: 0.05 wt%Au; Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-2: 0.46 wt%Au; Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-3: 2.60 wt%Au) were prepared at room temperature. The characterization results proved the nanostructure of Au islands supported on the Ni/Ni(OH)(2) nanoparticles (NPs) and synergy effect of Au-, Ni- and Ni(OH)(2)-related species in Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C. These are the main reasons why their catalytic performance and selectivity to m-nitroaniline in m-dinitrobenzene hydrogenation were much higher than those of monometallic catalysts (Au/C and Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C). Because Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-2 was with high dispersion of Au, Au(0)/Aun+ ratio approximate to 1:1 on the surface, novel nanostructure, moderate capacity of activating and dissociating hydrogen, and synergistic effect, it had much better catalytic activity (conversion of m-dinitrobenzene-100%) and higher selectivity to m-nitroaniline (95.0%) in m-dinitrobenzene hydrogenation reaction compared to other two supported bimetallic catalysts (Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-1 and Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-3). Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-2 also exhibited high stability. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

The bimetallic nanocatalysts Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C with different Au loadings showed higher catalytic activity and selectivity compared to monometallic catalysts, with Au/Ni/Ni(OH)(2)/C-2 exhibiting the best performance.