Effect of structure and surface properties on the catalytic activity of nanodiamond in the conversion of 1,2-dichloroethane

The catalytic activity of a detonation nanodiamond and its Ni-containing forms in the conversion of 1,2-dichloroethane is studied and compared with the activity of other carbon and nanocarbon materials: carbon nanotubes, “Dalan” synthetic diamond, and fluorinated graphite. The surface and structure of the carbon materials are characterized using XRD, diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy, XPS, BET, and TPR. The catalytic properties of the materials are studied using the pulsed microcatalytic method. It is found that the synthetic diamond, the nanodiamond, and its Ni-containing forms are catalysts for dichloroethane conversion in a nitrogen atmosphere, where the main product is ethylene. It is noted that the catalytic activity of deactivated diamond catalysts is restored after hydrogen treatment. It is shown that the carbon structure of the nanodiamond and the “Dalan” synthetic diamond with hydrogen groups located on it plays a key role in the dichloroethane conversion. It is found that the nanodiamond acts simultaneously as a catalyst and an adsorbent of chlorine-containing products of dichloroethane conversion.