High Catalytic Behavior of Activated Carbon-Supported K-Fe-Ni Based Catalysts for 1,6-Hexanedinitrile Hydrogenation under Mild Conditions

Activated carbon supported potassium and iron doped nickel-based catalysts were prepared and characterized by XRD, chemisorption of H-2, H-2-TPR, XPS, N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis, NH3-TPD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and HAADF-STEM. The catalytic behaviors were conducted on the hydrogenation of 1,6-Hexanedinitrile to 6-aminohexanenitrile and 1,6-hexanediamine under 338K-358K and 2MPa hydrogen pressure. It can be deduced that the reducibility of the nickel oxide, the surface of the Ni0+ content and the dispersibility of nickel nanoparticles can be significantly enhanced by doping a certain amount of iron as the results of the synergetic effect between nickel and iron. Moreover, the introduction of potassium not only can effectively increase the alkaline site of the catalyst so as to inhibit the formation of by-products, but also improve the dispersion of nickel nanoparticles by suppressing the sintering effect. However, the addition of excessive potassium is unfavorable to the nickel oxide reduction. It can be seen that activated carbon supported potassium and iron doped nickel-based catalyst gives better catalytic performance of 91.32% conversion of 1,6-Hexanedinitrile and 91.82% selectivity to 6-aminohexanenitrile and 1,6-hexanediamine under mild conditions of 348K and 2MPa.