Bimetallic Ru/Ni supported catalysts for the gas phase hydrogenation of acetonitrile

• Published in: Applied catalysis. A, General General, 2010-06, Vol.381 (1), p.132-144
• Main Authors: Braos-García, P., García-Sancho, C., Infantes-Molina, A., Rodríguez-Castellón, E., Jiménez-López, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetonitrile; Bimetals; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemisorption; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Conversion; Exact sciences and technology; Gas phase acetonitrile hydrogenation; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogenation; Mesoporous silica; Nickel; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Porous materials; SBA-15; Supported nickel-ruthenium bimetallic catalysts; Surface physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0926-860X; 1873-3875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2010.03.061

A family of bimetallic Ni-Ru catalysts supported on a mesoporous SBA-15 as well as the corresponding Ni and Ru monometallic catalysts were tested in the hydrogenation of acetonitrile reaction. Ru-rich bimetallic catalysts exhibited conversion values higher than that of pure Ni one, as a consequence of enhanced specific activity of Ni 0 atoms, attributable to a strong interaction between both metals. A family of bimetallic Ni-Ru catalysts supported on a mesoporous SBA-15 silica was prepared by conventional impregnation method, with constant metal molar loadings, but varying Ni/(Ni + Ru) atomic ratios. The corresponding Ni and Ru monometallic catalysts were also prepared for comparison. These catalysts were characterized by XRD, N 2 adsorption–desorption at −196 °C, TEM, XPS, H 2-TPR, chemisorption of H 2 at r.t., H 2-TPD and NH 3-TPD techniques. Finally, they were also tested in the hydrogenation of acetonitrile reaction, in the gas phase and at atmospheric pressure. Acetonitrile conversion values depended on the Ni/(Ni + Ru) composition of the bimetallic catalysts. Ru-rich bimetallic catalysts exhibited acetonitrile conversion values higher than that of pure Ni one; thus, although selectivity patterns remained almost unchanged, primary amine yields were increased. These higher conversion values resulted as a consequence of enhanced specific activity of Ni 0 atoms, attributable to a strong interaction between both metals, Ni and Ru, likely because NiRu alloy nanoparticles were formed.