Study on characterization of Ni/N-rGO catalyst and its hydrogenation performance of phenol

Using 325 mesh flake graphite as raw material, graphite oxide (GO) was synthesized by improved Hummers method. Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) carrier was prepared by hydrothermal method using urea as nitrogen source, and then supported Ni/N-rGO catalyst was prepared by impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were characterized and analyzed by N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, SEM, H2-TPR and other methods. The hydrogenation performance of Ni catalysts supported by N-rGO, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and activated carbon (AC) were compared under the reaction conditions of 150°C, 0.4 MPa and 2.0 h with selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone as probe reaction. The results show that the N-rGO support not only has a large specific surface area and suitable pore structure, but also has good synergistic effect with nickel metal, and the Ni/N-rGO catalyst thus shows excellent catalytic activity and selectivity.