NiMo/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts from Ni Heteropolyoxomolybdate and Effect of Alumina Modification by B, Co, or Ni

A hydrotreating NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst (12 wt% Mo and 1.1 wt% Ni) was prepared by impregnation of the support with the Anderson-type heteropolyoxomolybdate (NH4)4Ni(OH)6Mo6O18. Before impregnation of the support, it was modified with an aqueous solution of H3BO3, Co(NO3)2, or Ni(NO3)2. The catalysts were investigated using N2 adsorption, O2 chemisorption, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The addition of Co, Ni, or B influenced the Al2O3 phase composition and gave increased catalytic activity for 1-benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the prior loading of Ni, Co or B increased the degree of sulfidation of the NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts. The highest HDS activity was observed with the NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with prior loaded Ni.

The prior loading of Ni, Co, or B onto the Al2O3 support helped the sulfiding of NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared from hetero- polyoxomolybdate (NH4)4[Ni(OH)6Mo6O18], and increased 1-benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide