Facile Preparation of Ni2P with a Sulfur‐Containing Surface Layer by Low‐Temperature Reduction of Ni2P2S6. (17th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Song; Li, Xiang; Wang, Anjie; Prins, Roel; Chen, Yongying; Hu, Yongkang
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 128:Number 12(2016)
• Page Start: 4098
• Page End: 4102
• Publication Date: 2016-02-17
• Subjects: Hydrodesulfurierung -- Nickelphosphide -- Selektive Hydrierungen -- S-haltige Lagen; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201510599
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: Preparation of Ni2 P by temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR) of a phosphate precursor is challenging because the P−O bond is strong. An alternative approach to synthesizing Ni2 P, by reduction of nickel hexathiodiphosphate (Ni2 P2 S6 ), is presented. Conversion of Ni2 P2 S6 into Ni2 P occurs at 200–220 °C, a temperature much lower than that required by the conventional TPR method (typically 500 °C). A sulfur‐containing layer with a thickness of about 4.7 nm, composed of tiny crystallites, was observed at the surface of the obtained Ni2 P catalyst (Ni2 P−S). This is a direct observation of the sulfur‐containing layer of Ni2 P, or the so‐called nickel phosphosulfide phase. Both the hydrodesulfurization activity and the selective hydrogenation performance of Ni2 P‐S were superior to that of the catalyst prepared by the TPR method, suggesting a positive role of sulfur on the surface of Ni2 P‐S. These features render Ni2 P‐S a legitimate alternative non‐precious metal catalyst for hydrogenation reactions.