NiMo catalysts supported on the Nb modified mesoporous SBA-15 and HMS: Effect of thioglycolic acid addition on HDS

• NiMo catalysts supported on mesoporous silica materials modified with Nb were prepared by chelating agent-assisted synthesis.
• The structure of calcined and sulfide solids was characterized.
• Catalysts were tested in hydrodesulfurization of 1-benzothiophene and thiophene at 350 °C.
• NiMoTGA/Nb-SBA-15 catalyst showed the highest activity in both HDS reactions.

Nb modified mesoporous SBA-15 and HMS materials were synthesized and studied as a support of NiMo. Calcined co-impregnated NiMo catalysts were prepared using ammonium heptamolybdate and nickel nitrate. Moreover, NiMo catalysts prepared in this manner were treated with thioglycolic acid (TGA). For comparison, NiMo catalysts were prepared by a simultaneous impregnation of the supports with Ni, Mo precursors and TGA. The TGA:Mo molar ratio was 4.0. The supports and NiMo catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, small- and wide-angle XRD, TPD-NH3, SEM, UV–vis DRS, FTIR and XPS. Catalyst activity was examined in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reactions of 1-benzothiophene and thiophene at 350 °C. It was found that simultaneous impregnation by Ni, Mo and TGA led to higher HDS activities than the sequential treatment of the calcined NiMo catalysts by TGA.

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