Novel preparation of highly dispersed Ni2P embedded in carbon framework and its improved catalytic performance.

Highly dispersed Ni 2 P embedded in carbon framework with different phosphidation temperature was prepared through carbonizing Ni-alginate gel and followed by phosphidation with PPh 3 in liquid phase. The significant effects of phosphidation temperature on Ni 2 P particle size and catalytic properties for isobutane dehydrogenation to isobutene were investigated. The results showed that Ni 2 P catalyst derived from the Ni-alginate gel (Ni 2 P-ADC), consisting of Ni 2 P particles embedded in carbon walls, possessed smaller particle size and more active site compared with Ni 2 P catalyst supported on active carbon (Ni 2 P/AC) prepared by impregnation method. The Ni 2 P-ADC catalyst phosphorized at 578 K for 3 h exhibited the highest catalytic performance, with the corresponding selectivity of isobutene approaching 89% and conversion approaching 15% after reaction for 4.5 h at 833 K, whereas Ni 2 P/AC catalyst prepared by impregnation method displays a much lower catalytic activity. The improved catalytic performance of the Ni 2 P-ADC can be ascribed to the smaller and highly dispersed Ni 2 P particles incorporated into carbon framework resulting from Ni-alginate gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]