Highly efficient CuO/CeO2–SiO2 catalysts for the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene: new insights into cerium support

The catalytic properties of CuO/SiO₂ and CuO/CeO₂–SiO₂ systems were investigated in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene into the aniline. The supports were synthesized by a sol–gel method using β-cyclodextrin and its methylated derivative as templates; copper catalysts were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation of synthesized CeO₂–SiO₂ supports and characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption and SEM-EDX methods. Copper catalysts based on mixed CeO₂–SiO₂ support showed increased efficiency; the full conversion of nitrobenzene was achieved using the CuO/CeO₂–SiO₂ catalyst (with 15 wt% CuO) at 180 °C.