Synthesis of supported bimetal phosphide catalysts based on red phosphor and hydrodesulfurization property

•A NiCoP/SiO2 catalyst was prepared using a new way.•The NiCoP/SiO2 catalyst showed an excellent hydrodesulfurization activity.•This method can also be used to synthesize other bimetal phosphides.

Silica-supported NiCoP (NiCoP/SiO2) catalysts were prepared by reducing nickel chloride (NiCl2·6H2O) and cobalt chloride (CoCl2·6H2O) with red phosphor (P) precursors. Physicochemical properties were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, N2 adsorption experiment, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Catalytic activities against the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene were evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor in flowing H2. The as-prepared NiCoP/SiO2 catalyst exhibited high hydrodesulfurization activities and selectivity for indirect hydrodesulfurization (>90%).