Catalyst characterization Ni-Sn nanoparticles supported in Al2O3 and MgO: Acetophenone hydrogenation

Monometallic and bimetallic Ni and Sn catalysts were prepared in different ratios by the Solvated Metal Atom Dispersed (SMAD) method for the catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol. The preparation of the catalysts was carried out by evaporation of Ni and Sn metal atoms and subsequent co-deposition at 77 K using 2-isopropanol as solvent on alumina and magnesium oxide as supports. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed a high percentage of nickel atoms in zero valence, while the tin phases were founded in reduced and oxidized form. The average size of the nanoparticles measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ranged from 8 to 15 nm while the metal dispersion on the surface measured by hydrogen chemisorption ranged from 0.07% for Ni1% Sn0.3%/MgO to 3.2% for Ni5%/MgO. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that γ-Al2O3 catalysts exhibit higher thermal stability than MgO catalysts. The catalysis results showed that the best support is MgO reaching 66% conversion in Ni5% Sn0.5%/MgO catalyst.