Nickel Hydrogenation Composite Catalysts Modified by Zirconium in Competitive Benzene Hydrogenation: Effect of Modifiers

A co-impregnation method was applied to the Ni/Zr-HMS/HZSM-5 catalyst (with various amounts of zirconium) during the hydrogenation of benzene. The physicochemical properties of the prepared nickel catalyst were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, H-2 chemisorption, N-2 adsorption-desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic performance was assessed on a fixed-bed reactor (reaction temperature between 130 degrees C and 190 degrees C). The results indicated that the nickel catalyst with Si/Zr = 35 exhibited better catalytic performance and stability than others, so providing a better selectivity in a long-term performance.