Electron microscopy characterization of Ni/Hβ-zeolite catalyst prepared by deposition-precipitation methods

In the present work we present the characterization by electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) and microanalysis of Ni/Hbeta catalysts prepared by the deposition-precipitation method (DP). During such preparation nickel hydrosilicates are formed mainly, but not exclusively, in the external surface of the Hbeta zeolite. The strong metal-support interaction induced by the DP preparation method prevents the Ni metal particles from sintering during calcination and reduction of the catalysts, and TEM shows clearly that an homogeneous distribution of Ni metal particles, of approximately 3-5nm in size is obtained. The catalysts obtained by the DP method showed better catalytic activity in hydrogenation of naphthalene than the catalysts prepared by other methods.