Sulfidability and thiophene hydrodesulfurization activity of supported NiMo carbides

•Catalysts obtained at pH 3 presented the best catalytic activity.•The sulfiding process improved the catalytic activity.•Catalysts presented a mix of β-Mo2C and NiC when the atomic ratio changed between (0.25–0.75).•The sulfiding process improved the catalytic activity of the catalysts.

Ni–Mo carbides supported on activated carbon were synthesized by carbothermal hydrogen reduction and the effect of the sulfidability on the thiophene hydrodesulfurization catalytic activity was studied. The X-ray diffraction patterns of Ni–Mo carbides showed the presence of β-Mo2C and NiC when the atomic ratio AR = Ni/(Ni + Mo) was between 0.25 and 0.75, while for AR = 1, it only was detected metallic Ni. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed the distribution of different surface species in the passivated catalysts: Moδ + (0 ≤ δ ≤ 2), Mo4 +, Mo6 +, Niδ + and Ni2 +. After sulfiding the carbides were modified in their surface and catalytic activity.

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