Liquid Phase Hydrogenation of Maleic Anhydride over Ni Catalysts: Effect of Support on the Catalytic Performance

Ni catalysts supported on CeO 2 and HZSM-5 supports were prepared and tested as catalysts in the liquid hydrogenation of maleic anhydride. Particularly Ni/HZSM-5 was active and selective in the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to ڃ-butyrolactone. The characterization results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 adsorption and CO temperature programmed reduction (CO-TPR) evidenced that the higher C=O hydrogenation ability of Ni/HZSM-5 catalyst was related to strong interaction between Ni particles and HZSM-5, and the high dispersion of fine Ni particles on the surface of support. Further, the acidic HZSM-5 support benefits the dehydration performance during the C=O bond hydrogenation process, which favored the production of ڃ-butyrolactone. The dual-functional Ni/HZSM-5 catalyst possesses both hydrogenation and dehydration activity.