J.L. Sihombing, E. Ginting, S. Amdayani, A.N. Pulungan, V. Tanjung, A.A. Sandy, R. Rahayu
Metal loading on zeolite to produce bifunctional catalysts is reported to increased the characteristics of zeolites which synergistically increase their catalytic activity. Sarulla natural zeolite (SNZ) from North Sumatera has the potential as a catalyst because of its excellent chemical properties including acidity, thermal stability, and large pores. On the other hand, natural zeolite contains a lot of impurities and lower acidity density so that it needs to be processed before use. In this research, modification of the acidity density of zeolite and metal loading were expected to improve the characteristics of SNZ as a catalyst. To achieved this goal, the research methods carried out include preparation, activation process with mineral acid with various concentrations of 3M, 5M, and 7M, then calcination with N2 gas flow. Ni and NiMo loading by wet impregnation method followed by oxidation and reduction with O2 and H2 gas flow, respectively. Some important properties of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, SEM, and determination of surface area by BET method. Ni/SNZ-7 catalyst showed the largest spesific surface area (92 m2/g), the least impurities (3%), and the most homogeneous surface morphology compared to other catalysts. The deposition of two metals in the zeolite generally causes an increase in the pore diameter and crystallinity degree, while decreasing in the pore volume of catalyst. © Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jl. Willem Iskandar Pasar V Medan Estate, Medan, 20221, Indonesia
