Size-controlled synthesis of a supported Ni nanoparticle catalyst for selective hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol

We reported a general strategy of size-controlled synthesis of supported nickel nanoparticle catalysts using electroless plating technique. The synthesis conditions (e.g. compositions of plating solution and plating temperatures) were optimized to promote plating rate, and nickel nanoparticles with 9 nm diameter and a narrow size distribution were highly dispersed on TiO2. The as-prepared Ni/TiO2 catalyst showed high activity, selectivity and stability in the selective hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.