Catalytically active gauze-supported skeletal nickel prepared from Ni-Zn alloys electrodeposited from an acetamide-dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture

Nickel-zinc alloys were electrodeposited on copper gauze from an acetamide-dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture containing nickel chloride and zinc chloride. The as-deposited nickel-zinc alloys have compact microstructures with very small crystallites (approximately 3 nm) and smooth surfaces. The nickel content could be varied between 20 and 90 wt.% by controlling the temperature of the electrolyte. After alkaline leaching, a gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst was obtained. The catalyst was benchmarked against commercial aluminum based Raney nickel in liquid phase hydrogenation of acetophenone. The gauze-supported zinc based skeletal nickel was more active and selective as compared to the commercial aluminum based Raney nickel. In addition, the gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst could be reused without any hydrogen pretreatment. The activity of the reused catalyst decreased by 20%, but it retained its excellent selectivity.