A series of silica supported transition metal phosphide catalysts were prepared through isovolumetric impregnation and heat treatment under N2 protection. Their catalytic performances were evaluated by ethanol yield and reaction kinetics of acetic acid hydrogenation. Results showed that both conversion of acetic acid and ethanol selectivity were gradually increased with reaction temperature increasing from 280℃ to 340℃. With P/Ni molar ratio for catalyst preparation was increased from 2:1 to 4:1

the obtained catalysts exhibited first increase and then decrease in activity and selectivity with optimal performance at P/Ni=3:1. The catalyst prepared by heat treatment at 250℃ had better catalytic performances than those at 200℃ and 300℃. The activity and ethanol selectivity of Ni2P/SiO2 catalysts were higher than that of Co2P/SiO2 catalysts. Catalysts using sodium hypophosphite as phosphorus supplement had better performance than those of potassium hypophosphite. Under temperature at 340℃

pressure at 2.0 MPa

molar ratio of hydrogen to acetic acid at 10:1

and WHSV at 0.4 h-1

acetic acid hydrogenation over Ni2P/SiO2 prepared in better conditions showed 100% conversion of acetic acid and 74.56% selectivity of ethanol. In addition

ethanol selectivity could be further improved by appropriate increase of reaction temperature.