Preparation of Ni/diatomite hydrogenation catalyst precursors: Effect of counter ions on textural characteristics

Abstract

Diatomite supported nickel catalyst precursors (Ni/D) were prepared by the precipitation-deposition (PD) method using different nickel salts such as nitrate, chloride, acetate and formate. The effect of counter ions (NO3-, Cl-, CH3COO-, and HCOO-) on the texture of prepared samples was studied. For determination of the textural characteristics mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and N2 physisorption techniques were used. MIP and physisorption data (pore volume, pore size distribution, porosity as well as N2 adsorptiondesorption isotherms and BET surface area) showed that counter ions were found to have a profound effect on the microstructure and porosity characteristics of Ni/D precursors. An order of the counter ions effect on the textural characteristics of prepared precursors was determined.