Efficient one pot synthesis of mesoporous NiMo–Al2O3 catalysts for dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization

With the aim of disposing hazardous sulphur-containing chemicals, an experimental investigation on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of the model compound dibenzothiophene (DBT) is presented. Mesoporous NiMo–Al2O3 catalysts for HDS were prepared by efficient and simple one-pot synthesis method using aluminum chloride as start material, urea as precipitant and starch as template. The catalysts were characterized by means of N2 physisorption, XRD, SEM, TPR, XPS and HRTEM. The characterization results show that, compared with the NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by impregnation method, the as-prepared NiMo–Al2O3 catalysts exhibit smaller nano-sized spherical particles of alumina, higher dispersions of Ni and Mo species, shorter length and lower stacking layer number of MoS2 slabs. Thus, NiMo–Al2O3 catalysts possess higher catalytic performance in the HDS of DBT than those of impregnated catalysts. Therefore, one pot synthesis is a promising method for the development of hydrotreating catalysts.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► NiMo–Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by efficient one-pot synthesis. ► MoS2 slabs with smaller nano-size are well dispersed on the surface of the support. ► NiMo–Al2O3 catalyst exhibits excellent hydrodesulfurization performance.