The influence of preparation method on the properties of NiMo sulfide catalysts supported on ZrO2

Highly loaded supported (Ni)Mo sulfide catalysts prepared using different methods have been studied. Two zirconia supports of high specific surface area were used, including amorphous or tetragonal ZrO2 solids. The order of active components introduction as well as thermal treatment conditions were varied. The best performance in the reactions of hydrodesulfurisation of thiophene and hydrogenation of tetralin was shown by the coimpregnated systems sulfidized without calcination of the oxide precursor. Crystallized ZrO2 support always provides higher activities in both reactions, than amorphous zirconia, despite very high specific surface area of the last. The differences between variously treated systems were explained using the results of characterizations including laser Raman spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction.