Synthesis of new NiO-SiO2-sol pillared montmorillonite and its catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of benzene

NiO-SiO 2 -sol pillared montmorillonite was synthesized using a novel method. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and hexahydrate nickel nitrate (Ni(NO 3 ) 2 · 6H 2 O) were intercalated into the interlayers of H-montmorillonite simultaneously with the intercalation of octylamine. Interlamellar hydrolysis of TEOS catalyzed by octylamine resulted in the siloxane-pillared montmorillonite. A new NiO-SiO 2 -sol pillared montmorillonite was obtained after removing the organic compounds at 550°C. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm for the pillared sample revealed that a large number of micro- and mesopores were created between the silicate layers, giving rise to a large surface of 554 m 2 /g and total porosity of 0.626 ml/g. The catalytic activity of the NiO-SiO 2 -sol pillared montmorillonite was evaluated in hydrogenation of benzene.