Effect of supports on catalytic activity of Ni-based catalysts for anthraquinone hydrogenation

The effects of supports on catalytic activity of Ni-based catalysts for production of hydrogen peroxide via anthraquinone route were studied and the activity of the catalysts was compared with Raney nickel catalysts.The influence of Ni loadings on the catalytic activity was also investigated.The experimental results showed that catalytic activity of Ni-based catalyst supported on SiO2 was superior to that on γ-Al2O3.Maximal hydrogenation activity was obtained over Ni/SiO2 catalyst with Ni loadings of 28.57%-50%(mass fraction).Ni/SiO2 catalyst was superior to Raney nickel catalyst in terms of hydrogen peroxide yield over unit mass of pure nickel.Hydrogenation activity of Ni/SiO2 catalyst declined when Ni loadings were over 50%.Hydrogenation of anthraquinone over Ni/SiO2 catalyst was structure-sensitive reaction.Optimal catalytic activity was obtained over Ni/SiO2 catalyst with Ni dispersion of about 18%