Synthesis and Characterization of Niobium Promoted Ni/Mesoporous MCM-41 for Potential Application in Heterogeneous-Catalyzed Reaction

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to investigate the synthesis and characterization of Nb promoted Ni/MCM-41 catalyst for potential applications in heterogeneous catatyzed reaction. The catalyst was prepared using sequential wet impregnation method and characterized for its physicochemical properties using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), N2 physisorption analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Field Emission, Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and H2-Temperature Programmed Reduction (H2-TPR). The results revealed that the catalyst possesses a high surface area while retaining the ordered mesoporous structure of the MCM-41 support, with uniform pores centered at ~3.8 nm. The high dispersion of the crystalline Nickel oxide (NiO) was confirmed from the XRD and TEM with sizes range of 20-50 nm, across the amorphous silica framework. A strong metal-support interaction was observed from the H2-TPR analysis which indicates the tendency of the catalyst to be thermally stable and offer high resistance against both sintering and coke deposition. The synergistic incorporation of the Nb into the Ni/MCM-41 provides a robust and highly promising catalyst for heterogeneous-catalyzed reaction.