Influence of synthesis parameters of WC-Ni/activated carbon in the specific surface area

Tungsten-nickel carbide nanocatalysts supported on activated carbon (WC–Ni/AC) were obtained by gas-solid reaction in a fixed bed reactor and studied using a 2³ experimental design in order to evaluate the influence of the synthesis parameters and Ni concentration on the specific surface area. WC-Ni powders were synthesized in proportions of 49% wt.WC-1% wt.Ni/AC, 48% wt.WC-2% wt.Ni/AC, and 47% wt.WC-3% wt. Ni/AC using carbon reduction of a hydrated ammonium paratungstate (APT) mixture with nickel nitrate at low temperatures (750 °C, 800 °C–850 °C) and in short reaction times (60min, 90min and 120min). The specific surface area was studied through an experimental design based on results obtained by BET. It was possible to produce WC-Ni/AC nanostructured powders with average crystallite size ranging from 16.2 nm to 47.7 nm and specific surface area ranging from 257.9 m2/g to 343.5 m2/g. The results are subsequently presented through statistical analysis, in which we found that Ni concentration and temperature are the factors which most influence the increase in the specific surface area of WC-Ni/AC.