Graphene–MoS2 composite: Hydrothermal synthesis and catalytic property in hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene

•Selective growth of MoS2 on GO produced small MoS2 particles attached to graphene.•Exhibited comparable catalytic selectivity for the HYD and DDS pathways•Non-selective growth of MoS2 on GO produced a physical mixture of MoS2 and graphene.•Excess-sulfur includes S22- bonded to the MoS2 and thiols attached to the graphene.•Exhibited enhanced hydrogenating activity in the HDS reaction of DBT

Graphene–MoS2 composite synthesized by reacting graphene oxide (GO) with MoO3 and NH4SCN at pH < 1 produced a physical mixture of graphene and large MoS2 particles. When GO was pre-treated with NaOH solution, smaller MoS2 particles were directly grown on the graphene. The physicochemical properties of the composites were correlated with their catalytic performance in the HDS of DBT. The higher hydrogenating activity obtained over the composite with the larger MoS2 particles was brought about by the formation of two “over-stoichiometric” sulfur: disulfide species S22- bonded to the surface of MoS2 particles and thiol groups attached to the graphene support.

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