CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts prepared on the basis of Co2Mo10-heteropolyacid and cobalt citrate: Effect of Co/Mo ratio

The effect of Co/Mo ratio in the CoMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalysts prepared by simultaneous using of the decamolybdodicobaltate heteropolyacid (Со2Мо10HPA) and cobalt citrate was investigated. Synthesized catalysts were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption, XRD, XPS, HRTEM techniques and were examined in the model reaction of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) HDS, in hydrotreating of straight-run gas oil (SRGO) and mixture of 80 vol.% SRGO with 20 vol.% light coker gas oil (LCGO). It was established that Co/Mo ratio in the catalysts significantly influences on the structure of CoMoS phase of type II and catalytic activity. Catalysts with λ = Co/(Co + Mo) = 0.35 had maximal activities in 4,6-DMDBT HDS and diesel HDT and showed the best stability. Increase of the Co/Mo ratio led to simultaneous growing of both average length and stacking number of CoMoS multilayer active phase of the catalysts. Average length increased from 3.0 to 4.0 nm, average staking number increased from 1.4 to 1.6. It was found out that catalysts activity decreased within Co/Mo ratio λ from 0.35 to 0.45. Analysis of textural properties of the catalysts, active phase morphology, phase composition and catalytic activities allowed us to suppose that with increase of Co/Mo ratio blocking the mesopores by sulfides of the active components and by coke species with formation of new micropores would take place. The activity of the best prepared CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst was competitive with the activity of the well-known commercial catalysts for ultra-low sulfur diesel in hydrotreating of SRGO or mixture of SRGO with LCGO.

► We synthesize CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts on the basis of Co2Mo10HPA and cobalt citrate.
► Co/Mo ratio in the catalysts influences on the structure of CoMoS phase.
► Increase of the Co/Mo ratio leads to growing of length and stacking number.
► Catalyst with λ equal to 0.35 has maximal activity in 4,6-DMDBT HDS and diesel HDT.
► Catalysts activity decrease within Co/Mo ratio λ from 0.35 to 0.45.