Synthesis of nickel phosphide nanorods for hydrotreating reactions

Nickel phosphate (NiPO) nanofibers with high surface area (288 m(2)/g) were obtained from phosphoric acid and nickel nitrate in an ionic liquid ([Bmim]Br) via an ionothermal synthesis process at 150 degrees C. Heating the nano fibers under a H-2 atmosphere at 700 degrees C led to the formation of Ni2P nanorods, similar to 50 nm in diameter and 100-200 nm in length. The Ni2P nanorod catalyst exhibited a much higher turnover frequency in the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene than the previously reported Ni2P catalysts with nanoparticle, nanosheet or irregular block morphologies, which may be attributable to the morphology effect of the nanorods.