Novel Ni2P/zeolite catalysts for naphthalene hydrocracking to BTX

Abstract Ni 2 P catalysts supported on ZSM-5, Beta, and USY zeolites were prepared by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), applied for the hydrocracking of naphthalene, and characterized by BET, CO uptake, NH 3 -TPD, TEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The catalytic activity was tested at 673 K and 3.0 MPa in a three-phase fixed bed reactor for hydrocracking of naphthalene. The Ni 2 P/Beta exhibited best activity with a naphthalene conversion of 99%, and a BTX yield of 94.4%. Well-dispersed Ni 2 P particles combined with moderate acidity and porosity of zeolite Beta contributed to the enhanced hydrocracking activity of naphthalene into BTX.