Graphene supported NiMo catalyst: A promising novel hydrocracking catalyst

The graphene nanosheet (GNS) is used as a catalyst support for various catalytic reactions. A comprehensive study of functionalized GNS (FGNS)-supported catalyst for the purpose of hydrocracking (HDC) process provides a guide to exploring the potential applications and discovering their superior properties. In this research, to study the effect of the support on the conversion and selectivity of n-hexadecane HDC process, experiments are carried out over a synthesized NiMo/FGNS (NMFG) and a commercial NiMo/Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (NMAS) catalysts in a fixed-bed reactor. The functional groups on the NMFG surface anchor and disperse active metals on the catalyst surface, and they enhance the HDC conversion and stability of NMFG catalyst. Moreover, results prove that, in comparison with the commercial catalyst, NMFG increases the HDC conversion of n-hexadecane about 48%, and decreases the coke deposition on its surface.