Factors affecting the catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol by nano nickel supported on Egyptian kaolin

Abstract

THE LIQUID-PHASE catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol was studied over kaolin supported nano-nickel catalysts prepared by chemical reduction by hydrazine hydrate. It was found that the 5% Ni-K catalyst has a superior catalytic activity corresponding to the other nickel contents, and hence it was chosen for determining the optimum conditions of such reaction. The effect of catalyst loading, p-nitrophenol concentration, NaOH and NH 4OH concentrations on the catalytic activity of nano-nickel catalyst was investigated at 80°C. It was assessed that the catalytic efficiency of the catalyst was enhanced considerably by changing in NaOH and NH4OH concentrations during hydrogenation reaction.