Particle-size distribution of nickel dispersed on silica and its effects on hydrogenation of propionaldehyde

Abstract

Techniques to control metal particle size in a supported catalyst have been investigated. The mean particle size of nickel increases with an increase in the concentration of metal in the catalyst, varying from 2.2 to 25.8% in weight. The effects of metal particle size on reaction selectivity are explained in terms of the fraction of metal atoms located at the corners and edges in the metal crystallites. During the reaction of propionaldehyde with hydrogen on the catalyst, hydrogenation may occur on the metal atoms located at the corners or edges of the crystallites, while the decomposition of the aldehyde may take place on the metal atoms located on the plane surface of the crystallites.