Three-Dimensional Network Pd-Ni/γ-Al(2)O(3) Catalysts for Highly Active Catalytic Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene to Aniline under Mild Conditions

[Image: see text] In view of the current situation of high cost and low catalytic efficiency of the commercial Pd-based catalysts, adding transition metals (Ni, Co, etc.) to form the Pd-M bimetallic catalyst not only reduces the consumption of Pd but also greatly improves the catalytic activity and stability, which has attracted increasing attention. In this work, the three-dimensional network Pd–Ni bimetallic catalysts were prepared successfully by a liquid-phase in situ reduction method with the hydroxylated γ-Al(2)O(3) as the support. Through investigating the effects of the precursor salt amount, reducing agent concentration, stabilizer concentration, and reducing stirring time on the synthesis of the Pd–Ni nanocatalyst, the three-dimensional network Pd–Ni bimetallic nanostructures with four different atomic ratios were prepared under an optimal condition. The obtained wire-like Pd–Ni catalysts have a uniform diameter size of about 5 nm and length up to several microns. After closely combining with the hydroxylated γ-Al(2)O(3), the supported Pd–Ni/γ-Al(2)O(3) catalysts exhibit nearly 100% conversion rate and selectivity for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline at low temperature and normal pressure. The stability testing of the supported Pd–Ni/γ-Al(2)O(3) catalysts shows that the conversion rate still remained above 99% after 10 cycles. There is no doubt that the supported catalysts show significant catalytic efficiency and recyclability, which provides important theoretical basis and technical support for the preparation of low-cost, highly efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline.