Al-pillared montmorillonite as a support for catalysts based on ruthenium sulfide in HDS reactions

Sulfided ruthenium supported catalysts based on an Al pillared montmorillonite, with different Al contents, have been prepared and characterized by XRD, SBET, TEM, XPS, and tested in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT). The role of the Al content in the catalytic activity of RuS2 based catalysts was studied. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts studied in the HDS of DBT suggest that Al pillared montmorillonite could be of interest as a low cost support for this reaction.

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► In this study we examine alumina pillared montmorillonite as catalyst supports of sulfide ruthenium.
► We study the catalytic hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and we find that the prepared catalysts are active.
► We conclude that the dispersion of the active phase determinates the activity and the stability.