Synthesis of NiW supported on an al-modified cubic Ia3d mesoporous KIT-5 catalyst and its hydrodenitrogenation performance of quinoline

Abstract

Pure KIT-5 and a series of Al-KT-X materials modified by different amounts of aluminum were synthesized by a direct hydrothermal method and acted as supports for the catalysts of a quinoline hydrodenitrification reaction with the NiW active phases supported. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 isotherm absorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) for the supports indicated that Al species were embedded into the framework of the KIT-5 materials with a large pore size, pore volume, and specific surface area. The Pyridine-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Py-IR) result of the catalysts demonstrated that the addition of aluminum atoms enhanced the acidity of the catalysts. The results of the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) characterizations for the sulfide catalysts indicated that the embedded Al species could facilitate the dispersion of active metals and the formation of the active phases. Among all the catalysts, NiW/Al-KT-40 showed the maximal hydrodenitrogenation conversion (HDNC) due to its open three-dimensional pore structure, appropriate acidity, and good dispersion of active metals.