Bulk and Al2O3-supported Ni2P HDS catalysts prepared by separating the nickel and hypophosphite sources

• Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared at low phosphidation temperature.
• Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst was passivated with H2S/H2.
• High HDS activity by phosphiding Ni9S8 to Ni2P
• Decreased pore blockage by separation of Ni and hypophosphite sources

Bulk Ni2P and Al2O3-supported Ni2P were prepared at low phosphidation temperature (300 °C) from Ni9S8 and NH4H2PO2, which were separated to avoid the formation of phosphate inside the support pores. The unsupported product phases were characterized by XRD and the Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts by XRD, BET and TEM. A 10 wt.% Ni2P/Al2O3 catalyst, made by the Ni(NO3)2–NiO–Ni9S8–Ni2P path at a P/Ni ratio of 3, showed the highest activity in the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene. By separating the nickel and hypophosphite sources, Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts could be obtained at low phosphidation temperature and with low degree of blockage of pores by surplus phosphorus.

XRD traces of NiO, Ni9S8 and Ni2P. The NiO was sulfided to Ni9S8 and then phosphided to Ni2P.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide