Optimized nickel particles improve catalyst performance for hydrogenation reactions

12/02/2025
The structure of the Ni/MS-4.8 catalyst: (a) schematic illustration of the synthesis procedures, (b) HAADF-STEM, (c) TEM, (d, e) HRTEM image and (f) EDS mapping images. Credit: ZOU Zidan

A research team led by Wang Guozhong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel method to precisely control the size of nickel (Ni) particles in catalysts, improving their performance in hydrogenation reactions.,

The findings, published in Advanced Functional Materials, offer new insights into catalyst design for industrial applications.

Catalysts play a crucial role in accelerating chemical reactions without being consumed, and the size of metal particles within them is a key factor influencing their performance.

While larger Ni particles contain more high-coordination sites that facilitate hydrogen dissociation, smaller particles are dominated by low-coordination sites that enhance reactant adsorption. Achieving precise control over these particle sizes has been a longstanding challenge in catalyst development.

In this study, the researchers synthesized mesoporous silica and used a strategy that adjusted the molar ratio of ethylenediamine (EDA) to Ni to create Ni/MS catalysts with varying Ni particle sizes. Using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches, they analyzed how these size variations impact the hydrogenation of vanillin, a key reaction in fine chemical production.

By adjusting particle size, researchers can optimize catalyst performance and product selectivity, though finding precise control methods has been challenging.

Using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches, they analyzed how these size variations impact the hydrogenation of vanillin, a key reaction in fine chemical production. They found that the hydrogenation of vanillin into 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (MMP) showed a peak productivity with the Ni/MS-4.8 catalyst, which had intermediate-sized particles.

They further demonstrated that low-coordinated Ni atoms enhance reactant adsorption, while high-coordinated Ni atoms promote efficient hydrogen dissociation, leading to improved catalytic performance.

This breakthrough provides a new pathway for optimizing catalyst design, paving the way for more efficient and selective hydrogenation reactions.

Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-optimized-nickel-particles-catalyst-hydrogenation.html via Phys.Org