Rational Design of Ce–Ni Bimetallic MOF-Derived Nanocatalysts for Enhanced Hydrogenation of Dicyclopentadiene

The development of highly efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) remains a critical challenge. In this study, we designed a series of bimetallic Ce–Ni metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived nanocatalysts by precisely tuning the Ce/Ni ratio and calcination temperatures. The optimized catalyst, Ni–CeO2(7:3) @C–400 °C, featuring highly dispersed carbon-coated Ni nanoparticles, achieved complete hydrogenation of DCPD to tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (THDCPD) with 100% conversion and nearly 100% selectivity within 2 h under 100 °C and 2 MPa. The porous carbon framework significantly facilitated the diffusion and accessibility of DCPD molecules, combined with Ce species reconstructing the electronic structure of Ni active centers through electronic interactions, synergistically enhancing the hydrogenation efficiency. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrated good structural stability. This work not only provides a robust strategy for the rational design of bimetallic MOF-derived catalysts but also highlights their potential for practical applications in industrial hydrogenation processes.