Investigation of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-fixation on polyaniline electrodes in methanol by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The ac response of polyaniline thin films on platinum electrodes was measured at different dc potentials during the N₂-fixation in methanol + LiClO₄ electrolyte with 0.03 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ for the first time. The optimum film thickness was found to be 1.5 μm, N₂-pressure 50 bar and an optimum electrolysis potential of −0.12 V (NHE). The diffusion coefficients for N₂ into the polymer film was found to be (5 ± 2)×10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹.     

Adsorption characteristics analysis of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> in 13X zeolites by molecular simulation and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption experiment

The adsorption characteristics of CO₂ and N₂ in 13X zeolites have been studied by the molecular simulation and N₂ adsorption experiment. It is found that the simulation results by Dreiding force fields are in an agreement with the published data. The influence of the σ and ε parameters of O_Z and Na⁺ on the adsorption performance is discussed. Then the optimized force field parameters are obtained. Specific surface area (S _B ) is calculated by simulation and experiment. Its relative error is just only 4.3 %. Therefore, it is feasible that S _B of 13X zeolites is obtained by the simulation methods. Finally, the impacts of pressure and temperature on adsorption characteristics are investigated. At low pressure, CO₂ adsorption in 13X zeolites belongs to the surface adsorption. As the pressure increase, the partial multilayer adsorption appears along with the surface adsorption. N₂ adsorption in 13X zeolites is different from that of CO₂. At low temperature of 77 K, two primary peaks are caused by the surface adsorption and multilayer adsorption respectively regardless of pressure variation. When the temperature is 273 K, the energy distribution curve appears undulate at low pressures. Then it becomes stable with the pressure increase. The surface adsorption plays an important role at the relative high pressures. The results will help to provide the theory guide for the optimization of force field parameters of adsorbents, and it is very important significance to understand the adsorption performance of zeolites.     

Separation characteristics of tetrapropylammoniumbromide templating silica/alumina composite membrane in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>/H<Subscript>2</Subscript> systems

Nanoporous silica membrane without any pinholes and cracks was synthesized by organic templating method. The tetrapropylammoniumbromide (TPABr)-templating silica sols were coated on tubular alumina composite support ( γ-Al₂O₃/ α-Al₂O₃ composite) by dip coating and then heat-treated at 550 °C. By using the prepared TPABr templating silica/alumina composite membrane, adsorption and membrane transport experiments were performed on the CO₂/N₂, CO₂/H₂ and CH₄/H₂ systems. Adsorption and permeation by using single gas and binary mixtures were measured in order to examine the transport mechanism in the membrane. In the single gas systems, adsorption characteristics on the α-Al₂O₃ support and nanoporous unsupport (TPABr templating SiO₂/ γ-Al₂O₃ composite layer without α-Al₂O₃ support) were investigated at 20–40 °C conditions and 0.0–1.0 atm pressure range. The experimental adsorption equilibrium was well fitted with Langmuir or/and Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models. The α-Al₂O₃ support had a little adsorption capacity compared to the unsupport which had relatively larger adsorption capacity for CO₂ and CH₄. While the adsorption rates in the unsupport showed in the order of H₂> CO₂> N₂> CH₄ at low pressure range, the permeate flux in the membrane was in the order of H₂≫N₂> CH₄> CO₂. Separation properties of the unsupport could be confirmed by the separation experiments of adsorbable/non-adsorbable mixed gases, such as CO₂/H₂ and CH₄/H₂ systems. Although light and non-adsorbable molecules, such as H₂, showed the highest permeation in the single gas permeate experiments, heavier and strongly adsorbable molecules, such as CO₂ and CH₄, showed a higher separation factor (CO₂/H₂=5-7, CH₄/H₂=4-9). These results might be caused by the surface diffusion or/and blocking effects of adsorbed molecules in the unsupport. And these results could be explained by surface diffusion. This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

Structure of an atmospheric-pressure H<Subscript>2</Subscript>/O<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> flame doped with iron pentacarbonyl

This paper presents the measurement and simulation data on the thermal and chemical structure of an atmospheric-pressure premixed H₂/O₂/N₂ flame doped with iron pentacarbonyl Fe(CO)₅. Soft ionization molecular beam mass spectrometry was used to measure concentration profiles of the combustion products of iron pentacarbonyl: Fe, FeO₂, FeOH, and Fe(OH)₂. A comparison of experimental and simulated concentration profiles showed that they are in satisfactory agreement for FeO₂ and Fe(OH)₂ and differ significantly for Fe and FeOH. Thus, the previously proposed kinetic model for the oxidation of iron pentacarbonyl was tested and it was shown that the mechanism needs further elaboration.     

Impacts of Water Table Management on N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> from a Sandy Loam Soil in Southwestern Quebec,Canada

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is primarily produced as intermediate in denitrification and, to a lesser extent, through nitrification processes. Nitrous oxide emission and, consequently, its atmospheric impacts depend on the extent to which N₂O is reduced to dinitrogen gas (N₂) by denitrifiers. Field experiments were conducted from 1998 through 2000 growing seasons at St. Emmanuel, Quebec, Canada, to investigate the combined impact of water table management (WTM) and N fertilization rate on the soil denitrification (N₂O + N₂) rate, rate of N₂O production, and the N₂O:N₂O + N₂ ratio. Water table treatments included subirrigation (SI) with a target water table depth of 0.6 m and free drainage (FD) with open drains. The tile drains (75 mm diameter) were laid at a 1.0 m depth from the soil surface. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at two rates:120 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0). The N₂O + N₂ evolution rates were greater in SI (12.9 kg N ha⁻¹) than in FD (5.8 kg N ha⁻¹) plots. The percentages of N₂O relative to overall N₂O + N₂ evolution were 35 and 11% for 1998, 29 and 8% for 1999, and 37 and 20% for 2000, under FD and SI, respectively. The reduced N₂O production under SI was due to a greater reduction of N₂O to N₂. Results indicate that greater N₂O + N₂ evolution under shallow water tables are not necessarily accompanied by higher N₂O emissions.     

Fungal and bacterial contributions to codenitrification emissions of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> following urea deposition to soil

Grazed pastures contribute significantly to anthropogenic emissions of N₂O but the respective contributions of archaea, bacteria and fungi to codenitrification in such systems is unresolved. This study examined the relative contributions of bacteria and fungi to rates of denitrification and codenitrification under a simulated ruminant urine event. It was hypothesised that fungi would be primarily responsible for both codenitrification and total N₂O and N₂ emissions. The effects of bacterial (streptomycin), fungal (cycloheximide), and combined inhibitor treatments were measured in a laboratory mesocosm experiment, on soil that had received ¹⁵N labelled urea. Soil inorganic-N concentrations, N₂O and N₂ gas fluxes were measured over 51 days. On Days 42 and 51, when nitrification was actively proceeding in the positive control, the inhibitor treatments inhibited nitrification as evidenced by increased soil NH ₄ ⁺ -N concentrations and decreased soil NO ₂ ^? -N and NO ₃ ^? -N concentrations. Codenitrification was observed to contribute to total fluxes of both N₂O (≥ 33%) and N₂ (≥ 3%) in urine-amended grassland soils. Cycloheximide inhibition decreased NH ₄ ⁺ –¹⁵N enrichment and reduced N₂O fluxes while reducing the contribution of codenitrification to total N₂O fluxes by ≥ 66 and ≥ 42%, respectively. Thus, given archaea do not respond to significant urea deposition, it is proposed that fungi, not bacteria, dominated total N₂O fluxes, and the codenitrification N₂O fluxes, from a simulated urine amended pasture soil.     

Soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O fluxes over and between tile drains on corn,soybean, and forage fields under tile drainage management

Controlled tile drainage (CTD) can benefit the environment and crop production. However, CTD has the potential to increase soil greenhouse gas (GHG: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) emissions by increasing soil water contents and elevating field water levels. A paired-field (CTD and uncontrolled tile drainage (UTD)) approach was used to compare soil GHG emissions for silt loam corn, soybean, and forage fields under CTD and UTD management in eastern Ontario, Canada during a drier and a wetter growing season. A total of five field pairs were examined. Soil GHG emissions directly over tile drains (OT) and between tile drains (BT) in the CTD fields were also assessed. Average soil GHG emissions did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) for CTD and UTD field pairs, except for CO₂ emissions (greater emissions from UTD fields) among two field pairs studied (forage in the drier growing season and soybean in the wetter growing season), and N₂O emissions from a soybean field pair in the wet growing season (greater emissions from CTD field). Significantly higher soil water contents in the UTD forage field may have augmented CO₂ fluxes there. There were some significantly higher N₂O (in the wetter growing season) and CO₂ emissions (in both growing seasons) BT relative to OT locations in some fields; but these differences were not translated significantly to other BT and OT site comparisons. The wetter growing season examined resulted in greater average daily soil CO₂ fluxes overall, but similar CH₄ and N₂O fluxes for soybean fields compared to soybean fields in the drier growing season. Overall, there were no spatially or temporally systematic differences in GHG emissions among CTD and UTD field pairs, or among BT and OT locations in CTD fields.     

Effect of the addition of triphenylphosphine oxide,hexabromocyclododecane, and ethyl bromide on a CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>/O<Subscript>2</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> flame at atmospheric pressure

The chemical and thermal structure of a Mache-Hebra burner stabilized premixed rich CH₄/O₂/N₂ flame with additives of vapors of triphenylphosphine oxide [(C₆H₅)₃PO], hexabromocyclododecane (C₁₂H₁₈Br₆), and ethyl bromide (C₂H₅Br) was studied experimentally using molecular beam mass spectrometry (MBMS) and a microthermocouple method. The concentration profiles of stable and active species, including atoms and free radicals, and flame temperature pro.les were determined at a pressure of 1 atm. A comparison of the experimental and modeling results on the flame structure shows that MBMS is a suitable method for studying the structure of flames stabilized on a Mache-Hebra burner under near-adiabatic conditions. The relative flame inhibition effectiveness of the added compounds is estimated from changes in the peak concentrations of H and OH radicals in the flame and from changes in the flame propagation velocity. The results of the investigation suggest that place of action of the examined flame retardants is the gas phase. __________ Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 12–20, September–October, 2007.     

Raman spectra and surface structure of CaO-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass leached in potassium hydroxide solutions

It is difficult to research on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash during leaching reaction due to crystalline phase and complex structure. In the present work, in order to reveal the effects of leaching reaction on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash, the modelling CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass was prepared by the traditional melting methods. The leaching reaction of CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass with 7.5 M KOH was investigated by spectroscopy, spectrophotometer and wet chemical method. The results show that the content of Q ¹, Q ², Q ³ and Q ⁴ of glass without corrosion was 4.21, 9.51, 23.03 and 52.55%, respectively, which shows that the network polymerization of glass is compact. The leaching reaction of glass can be described by the following equation: dS/dt = k/(r + S ₀). Leaching in KOH for various times induces the content of Q ⁴ and Q ¹ to be decreased, and Q ² and Q ³ increased, resulted in the depolymerization of network and the surface glass dissolved in alkaline solution to form a gel phase. In stage one of leaching reaction, the rate of iron ion leached from glass surface was slow, which resulted in the small slope of straight-line relationship of leaching curve. In the following stage, the leaching rate of iron ion increased with the prolongation of time.     

Sorption studies of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>, N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CO,O<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Ar on nanoporous aluminum terephthalate [MIL-53(Al)]

Aluminum terephthalate, MIL-53(Al), metal–organic framework synthesized hydrothermally and purified by solvent extraction method was used as an adsorbent for gas adsorption studies. The synthesized MIL-53(Al) was characterized by powder X-Ray diffraction analysis, surface area measurement using N₂ adsorption–desorption at 77 K, FTIR spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. Adsorption isotherms of CO₂, CH₄, CO, N₂, O₂ and Ar were measured at 288 and 303 K. The absolute adsorption capacity was found in the order CO₂>CH₄>CO>N₂>Ar>O₂. Henry’s constants, heat of adsorption in the low pressure region and adsorption selectivities for the adsorbate gases were calculated from their adsorption isotherms. The high selectivity and low heat of adsorption for CO₂ suggests that MIL-53(Al) is a potential adsorbent material for the separation of CO₂ from gas mixtures. The high selectivity for CH₄ over O₂ and its low heat of adsorption suggests that MIL-53(Al) could also be a compatible adsorbent for the separation of methane from methane–oxygen gas mixtures.     

Embedding Noble-Metal-Free Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>P Cocatalyst on g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> for Enhanced Photocatalytic H<Subscript>2</Subscript> Evolution in Water Under Visible Light

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is considered as one of the promising pathways to settle the energy crises and environmental issues by utilizing solar energy. In this paper, noble-metal-free Ni₂P was used as cocatalyst to enhance g-C₃N₄ for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation (λ?>?420 nm). Characterization results indicated that Ni₂P nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto g-C₃N₄, which can significantly contribute to accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron. The hydrogen evolution rate reached ～?270 µmol h^?1 g^?1 and the apparent quantum yield (AQY) was ～?2.85% at 420 nm. Meanwhile, there is no obviously decrease of the hydrogen production rate even after 36 h under visible light illumination. In addition, the mechanism of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was also elaborated in detail.

Graphical Abstract

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Laboratory assessment of the effect of cattle slurry pre-treatment on organic N degradation after soil application and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and N<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions

Slurry separation using mechanical and chemical methods is one of the options considered to solve problems of slurry management at the farm scale. The fractions obtained with such treatments have distinct compositions, which allow different options for their utilization (composting, direct application, and fertigation). In this study, four fractions of slurry were obtained using a combined treatment system including slurry treatment with a screw press separator (solid and liquid fractions) followed by sedimentation with the addition of Polyacrylamide (PAM) (PAM-Supernatant and PAM-Sediment) to the LF. These fractions were then incorporated into arable soil under controlled laboratory conditions and the organic N degradation from each treatment was followed for 94 days. Total N emissions (N₂O + N₂) as well as the sources of the N emissions (nitrification or denitrification) were also studied during this period. Results showed that the slurry fractions (SFs) had distinct behavior relative to the whole slurry (WS), namely in terms of N degradation in soil, where N mineralization was observed only in the WS treatment whereas N immobilization occurred in the other treatments. In terms of N₂O emissions, higher losses, expressed as a percentage of the total N added, occurred from the LF treatments (liquid, PAM-Supernatant and PAM-Sediment). This work indicates that the slurry treatment by mechanical and chemical separation may be a good option for slurry management at the farm scale since it allows greater utilization of the different fractions with a small effect on N₂O emissions after SFs’ application to soil.     

Synthesis of MIL-101@g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanocomposite for enhanced adsorption capacity towards CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

MIL-101@g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite was prepared by solvothermal synthesis and used for CO₂ adsorption. The parent materials (MIL-101 and g-C₃N₄) and the MIL-101@g-C₃N₄ were characterized by X-ray diffraction, argon adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG/DTA), transmission electronic microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results confirmed the formation of well-defined MIL-101@g-C₃N₄ with interesting surface area and pore volume. Furthermore, both MIL-101 and MIL-101@g-C₃N₄ were accomplished in carbon dioxide capture at different temperatures (280, 288, 273 and 298 K) at lower pressure. The adsorption isotherms show that the nanocomposite has a good CO₂ adsorption affinity compared to MIL-101. The best adsorption capacity is about 1.6 mmol g^?1 obtained for the nanocomposite material which is two times higher than that of MIL-101, indicating strong interactions between CO₂ and MIL-101@g-C₃N₄. This difference in efficacy is mainly due to the presence of the amine groups dispersed in the nanocomposite. Finally, we have developed a simple route for the preparation of an effective and new adsorbent for the removal of CO₂, which can be used as an excellent candidate for gas storage, catalysis, and adsorption.     

Synthesized Hollow TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>@g-C<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> Composites for Carbon dioxide Reduction Under Visible Light

The hollow TiO₂@g-C₃N₄ composites were synthesized by a facile stirring method. The phase compositions, optical properties, and morphologies of the samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Photoluminescence. The photocatalyitc performance was evaluated by reduction carbon dioxide under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that TiO₂@g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites displayed higher photocatalytic activity compared with pure g-C₃N₄. The increased photocatalytic activity of TiO₂@g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites can be attributed to facilitating the photo-induced electron–hole separation efficiency and enhancing the photo-induced electron migration.

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Electrical conductivity and structure of glasses in the Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>S-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> and Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>S-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>5</Subscript> systems

The glasses, in which oxygen was partially replaced with sulfur, have been synthesized in the Na₂O-P₂O₅-Na₂S system. The chemical and chromatographic analyses of the glasses synthesized have been performed. The temperature-concentration dependences of electrical conductivity of the glasses have been studied over a wide temperature range; the glass transition temperatures and the nature of charge carriers have been determined. The IR spectra and Raman spectra have been recorded at room temperature; the density and microhardness of the glasses and ultrasound velocity have been measured. A comparison of the electrical conductivities of the investigated glasses with those of the earlier studied glasses in the Na₂O-P₂O₅ system has shown their fair coincidence. The introduction of sodium sulfide into the Na₂O-P₂O₅ system is accompanied by an approximately threefold increase in electrical conductivity, although the concentrations of charge carriers (sodium ions) in the glasses amount to ∼17 and ∼26 mmol/cm³, respectively. The rise in electrical conductivity has been assumed to be caused by the increase in the degree of dissociation of polar structural chemical units including sulfide ions and by the higher mobility of sodium ions in the oxygen-free matrix.     

Soil N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O fluxes in integrated production systems,continuous pasture and Cerrado

The objective of this study was to evaluate N₂O fluxes from integrated crop-livestock (ICL) and integrated crop-livestock forest (ICLF) systems, continuous pasture and native Cerrado. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina-DF, in a Red Oxisol, between February 2012 and April 2014, following the transition of crop to livestock, which began in March 2012, with the sowing of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, intercropped with sorghum. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications. The treatments were: cultivated area intercropped with rows of Eucalyptus, spaced 2 × 2 m between plants and 22 m between rows (ICLF); and an area cultivated without tree species (ICL), and also two adjacent reference areas: native Cerrado and continuous pasture. N₂O productions were characterized by fluxes below 20 μg N m^?2 h^?1. The ICL system had the highest cumulative flux with 2.84 kg N ha^?1, while the ICLF system obtained cumulative fluxes of 2.05 kg N ha^?1. The native Cerrado showed a negative balance, with –0.05 kg N ha^?1. The dry season was mostly characterized by low N₂O fluxes ranging between 10 μg N m^?2 h^?1 and negative values, whereas higher N₂O fluxes were observed after precipitation events, especially those following a long drought period. The water filled pore space was the factor that best explained N₂O fluxes, but higher fluxes were observed after the application of nitrogen fertilizer. There was a positive correlation between microbial biomass carbon and N₂O fluxes in the ICL and ICLF systems.     

Low-temperature anti-icing reagents in the Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Mg(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-CO(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system and their properties

The polytherms of ice melting in sections of the Ca(NO₃)₂-Mg(NO₃)₂-CO(NH₂)₂-H₂O system with different component ratios were studied in the temperature interval from 0 to −40°C. A series of nitrate and nitrate-carbonate reagents that are promising for the creation of anti-acing reagents were found, which form eutectics with ice at temperatures from −25 to −39°C. Their properties, viz., melting properties with respect to ice and corrosiveness on metals and alloys, were determined. An effective corrosion inhibitor was selected.     

Crystal structure of new compound (Rb,K)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new compound of (Rb,K)₂Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂ is obtained by high-temperature reactions from a mixture of RbNO₃, KNO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, and (NH₄)₄P₂O₇. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R ₁ = 0.056 for 5022 independent reflections. The compound belongs to a rhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 8, a = 9.9410(7) Å, b = 13.4754(6) Å, c = 18.6353 (3) Å, and R = 0.056. The basis of the structure is a complex copper-phosphate skeleton of the composition of [Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂]^2–, which can be regarded as consisting of two types of heteropolyhedral layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are alternated with each other, forming a frame, in the cavities of which the positions of alkali cations are located, statistically populated with K⁺ and Rb⁺ ions. Based on the refined populations of the positions of alkali cations, an exact chemical formula of the compound can be written as Rb_1.28K_0.72Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂. The compound is the most complex among those known to this day of the composition of A₂ ^IB₃ ^II(P₂O₇)₂ (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; B = Ni, Cu, or Zn).     

The difference in hydrogenation performance between Ni-in-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Ni-on-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for hydrotreating of crude 2-ethylhexanol

Two mesoporous material Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared and characterized by ICP-AES, XRD, and TPR. The differences in reaction activity between Ni-in-Al₂O₃ and Ni-on-Al₂O₃ were investigated for hydrotreating of crude 2-ethylhexanol. The results show that the Ni species (Ni-on-Al₂O₃) exhibit excellent hydrogenation activities at a wide range of H₂ pressure and space velocity, while the Ni species (Ni-in-Al₂O₃) exhibit similar activities with those of Ni-on-Al₂O₃ only at higher H₂ pressure and lower space velocity. Due to the presence of extensively exposed Ni species on the Ni-on-Al₂O₃ catalyst, its hydrogenation performance was increased significantly because of the low interphase mass transfer resistance.