Effect of Metal Oxide–Support Interactions on Ethylene Oligomerization over Nickel Oxide/Silica–Alumina Catalysts

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript “Effect of metal oxide-support interactions on ethylene oligomerization over nickel oxide/silica-alumina catalysts” shows results of catalysts characterization regarding several and complementing techniques elemental analysis, XRD, N2 adsorption, UV-DRS, H2-TPR, XPS, NH3-TPR, pyridine-FT-IR in order to stablish the interaction strength of catalysts and its relation to catalytic activity. The activity of catalysts was studied in tests under control conditions to obtain conversion of ethylene and selectivity to gas and liquid phases.

This is a very correctly develop manuscript, organised and well written. The characterisation techniques were properly applied and the results analysed. Therefore, the conclusions suitably supported.  Only two minor changes could be addressed before publication:

Introduction

Stress the novelty of this study

Conclusions

Line 292. Include “their activity for oligomerization…”

Complete the conclusion “depends on electronic property of nickel…” with the kind of dependency needed for a better performance of the catalyst.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This review concerns the article entitled Effect of Metal Oxide-Support Interactions on Ethylene Oligomerization over Nickel Oxide/Silica-Alumina Catalysts. Journal: Catalysts. The manuscript described the synthesis and characteristics of five heterogeneous NiO / SA catalysts with different Si / Al ratios, with similar Ni content and different interaction strength between the support and NiO SA. The catalysts obtained were used in ethylene oligomerization.

My suggestions:

It is known from literature that ethylene oligomerization can be performed using both homo- and heterogeneous nickel catalysts, and selectivity of this reaction depends on the type of catalyst and reaction conditions. To what extend the investigated heterogeneous catalyst is better, more efficient, from the known catalysts of the type NiO/SA as well as those applied in industrial scale? The shortcut SA should be explained. The title of section 3.3 should be changed because it concerns the method of synthesis of oligomers. The role of volume and size of pores of solid support in performed catalytic process should be more explained. Authors did not place the information about the lifetime of studied catalysts, what is important in industrial processes. It is known that oligomer distribution depends on the reaction temperature and monomer pressure. There is lack of information if the oligomerization conditions, relatively high temperature 200°C and 10 bars, were applied on the basis of previous studies or were previously optimized.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf