Preparation, characterization, and activity of γ-alumina-supported molybdenum/cobalt catalyst for the removal of elemental sulfur

• A new approach for preparing Mo–Co/γ-alumina catalyst was demonstrated.
• The synthesized catalyst showed high metallic surface area and metal dispersion.
• High metal dispersion was obtained for catalysts containing 16 wt.% Mo.
• The highest turnover frequency was 3.80 min−1 at 300 min.

A series of activated γ-alumina supported Mo/Co catalysts with different Mo loadings ranging from 8 to 20 wt.% have been prepared through the impregnation by soaking metal precursors over the alumina support followed by drying (120 °C) and calcination (350, 400 and 600 °C) for the fabrication of catalytic membrane. A comparative study on activated and γ-Al2O3with low surface area has been performed to understand the metal-support interaction and to select the suitable support in terms of metallic dispersion (MD) and metallic surface area (MSA) for better catalytic activity. Several characterization techniques, such as, BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), electron spin resonance (ESR), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and CO chemisorption have been used to verify the interaction between Mo and activated γ-alumina. Based on characterization, 16% Mo–Co/activated γ-Al2O3 catalyst calcined at 400 °C is optimized and selected for activity test. Claus reaction has been chosen to study the catalytic activity. Overall as well as individual conversion of both H2S and SO2, selectivity and yield of product are measured in this study. The highest turnover frequency (TF) is observed as 3.80 min−1 at 300 min for the optimized catalyst.

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