Preparation of N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes Modified Al 2 O 3 Supported Palladium‐Nickel Bimetallic Catalyst and Its Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Dodecahydro‐N‐Ethylcarbazole

ABSTRACT Using melamine as the carbon source, the nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (N‐CNTs) modified Al 2 O 3 containing Ni (Ni/Al 2 O 3 @N‐CNTs) was prepared via in situ growth on NiCl 2 impregnated Al 2 O 3 surface through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). PdNi bimetallic catalysts (PdNi/Al 2 O 3 @N‐CNTs) were prepared by wet impregnation‐chemical reduction method using Ni/Al 2 O 3 @N‐CNTs as the support. Al 2 O 3 @N‐CNTs with large specific surface area and certain defect sites could improve the interaction between Pd NPs and carrier, and dispersion of Pd NPs. CNTs enhanced the conductivity of Al 2 O 3 and facilitated electron transfer during the dehydrogenation reaction. The alloy structure formed by Ni and Pd reduced the electron cloud density of Pd, which increased its adsorption strength towards reactants. The synergistic effect of the above factors enhanced the efficiency of dodecahydro‐N‐ethylcarbazole (12H‐NEC) dehydrogenation, achieving dehydrogenation efficiencies of 97.9% within 3 h and 99.1% within 6 h, respectively.