Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in the presence of Cu-impregnated catalysts pre-irradiated by ionizing radiation

The catalytic activity of Cu-impregnated catalyst in hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was studied. The carrier of the catalyst (γ-Al2O3) was preirradiated with γ-60Co radiation. The catalytic activity grows linearly with applied dose up to 70 kGy, where the raise of activity was about 24%. The possible causes of the radiation-catalytic effect are discussed. The enhanced catalytic actvity is, probably, due to the charge defects produced in the carrier after its irradiation. (author)