Lanthanum-mediated enhancement of low temperature hydrogenation activity and stability in nickel catalyst supported by MOFs

The development of low-cost, highly efficient, and durable non-noble metal catalysts for hydrogenation reactions has long posed a significant challenge in the field of catalysis. In this study, we present a novel non-noble metal catalyst, Ni/La NPs@UD, which consists of ultra-small nickel nanoparticles (NPs) modified with lanthanum (La) species and anchored on defective UiO-66 supports, specifically designed for the hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). The incorporation of La not only enhances the electronic properties of the Ni centers, but also facilitates effective electron transfer , promoting the formation of low-coordination, electron-rich Ni active sites that significantly improve catalytic performance. Remarkably, at a mild temperature of 70 ℃, Ni/La NPs@UD achieved 100% conversion of DCPD with a 99.9% selectivity for tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (THDCPD), rivaling that of noble metal catalysts. Furthermore, the La species not only prevents the agglomeration of Ni NPs through a fencing effect but also mitigates the deposition of inert coke by increasing the density of medium strong basic sites. This dual action significantly prolongs the catalyst’s lifespan, as evidenced by its sustained catalytic activity over 10 consecutive cycles. These results underscore the potential of non-precious metal MOFs-based catalysts to achieve efficient hydrogenation under mild conditions, paving the way for their future application in sustainable chemical processes.