A Potential Regularity for Enhancing the Hydrogenation Properties of Ni₂P

A regularity for transferring molecular hydrogen to active atomic hydrogen has the potential to unlock some key steps in petrochemical processing and in the synthesis of many compounds. Ni₂P, which is regarded as a promising next-generation catalyst to replace noble metals in heterogeneous catalysts, is discussed in this paper. In this study, a potential modification regularity was inferred and proved for enhancing hydrogenation properties. This regularity is “modified elements with relatively high electronegativity will favor an increase in the hydrogenation activity, provided crystal metallic properties are retained”. To obtain this regularity, three steps were followed. First, calculations were performed to infer a potential regularity for enhancing hydrogenation activity. Then, two series of catalysts were designed based on the calculations. Second, temperature-programmed oxidation, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, and temperature-programmed reduction analyses were performed to verify the modification. In addition, catalysts were further studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, the modified catalysts were then evaluated by hydrogenation reaction. Among these modified catalysts, the most fitting catalyst exhibited a hydrogenation catalytic activity 22.1 times that of Ni₂P. As the catalytic promotion confirmed, the inferred regularity could potentially be applied to hydrogenation catalyst design