Guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation on MoS2 catalysts: Influence of activated carbon supports

The hydrodeoxygenation of 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol) has been studied over a MoS2 catalyst supported on two activated carbons with marked differences in porosity and oxygen surface functionality. The catalysts were prepared by rotary evaporator impregnation and characterized by BET surface area and XPS, while the supports were characterized by TPD, PZC, FTIR, BET and XPS techniques. The reaction was studied in a batch reactor at 300 °C and 5 MPa. Activity differences on the carbon supports are correlated with the dispersion of MoS2. Greater abundance of surface oxygen (mainly carboxylic, quinonic and lactonic groups) on the support resulted in lower catalyst dispersion and lower HDO activity. The dispersion, textural properties and surface chemistry did not affect the nature of the MoS2 active sites.

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► Carbon supports have variable porosity and surface functionality.
► Surface oxygen groups decrease the dispersion of MoS2.
► Hydrodeoxygenation activity is correlated to catalyst dispersion.