Hydrodemetallation (HDM) of nickel-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (Ni-TPP) over NiMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst prepared by one-pot method with controlled precipitation of the components

► NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by one-pot method using urea as additive. ► NiMo/Al2O3 possessed better porosity and well dispersed active particles. ► The effect of urea concentrations on HDM activity of NiMo/Al2O3 is investigated. ► The HDM activity varied with the amount of urea to maximum at urea/Al of 12.3.