Preparation of highly dispersed W/Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts via a microwave hydrothermal method: Effect of oxalic acid

A novel microwave hydrothermal method was developed to prepare highly dispersed W/Al2O3 catalysts, in which WO3 was deposited on alumina via precipitation between tungstate and nitric acid under microwave hydrothermal environment and oxalic acid was used as an additive. Moreover, the role of oxalic acid was investigated by varying its amount and the addition method. It is found that the catalysts show higher WO3 dispersion and weaker W–Al interaction than that prepared by the conventional impregnation method. The hydrothermal period can be extremely reduced to a few minutes, and highly dispersed WO3 can be achieved even without oxalic acid. When oxalic acid was added after the formation of H2WO4, it mainly acts as a modifier for reacting with the hydroxyl groups on alumina and has little effect on WO3 dispersion. When oxalic acid was divided into two parts, one for pretreating alumina and the remains for preventing the aggregation of H2WO4, it may effectively act as both dispersant and modifier, leading to further increased WO3 dispersion and weakened W–Al interaction. The catalysts prepared by the microwave hydrothermal method show superior dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization activity. This method provides rapidity, convenience and cost effectiveness for preparing active hydrotreating catalysts.