Effect of second metal component on the reduction property and catalytic performance of NiO-MOx/Nb2O5-TiO2 for direct synthesis of 2-propylheptanol from n-valeraldehyde

Abstract In order to improve the catalytic performance of NiO/Nb2O5-TiO2, several kinds of the second metal oxide component MOx (M = Pd, Co, Ir or Rh) were separately introduced and their effects on the reduction property and catalytic performance were evaluated. The results showed that the reduction temperature of NiO decreased and NiO-Co3O4/Nb2O5-TiO2 exhibited the best catalytic performance. The reason for the enhancement of NiO reducibility may stem from the interaction of M with Ni and the hydrogen spillover as confirmed by various characterization techniques including XRD, H2-TPR, H2-TPD and XPS.