Different role of H2S and dibenzothiophene in the incorporation of sulfur in the surface of bulk MoP during hydrodesulfurization

The surface of MoP becomes sulfided during hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT), and the HDS activity increases with time on stream, showing that the sulfided MoP surface is more active than the fresh MoP surface. MoP pretreated with H2S/H2 under HDS reaction conditions showed the same activity increase as fresh MoP, but XPS did not show any sulfur at the surface of the pretreated MoP. Hence, the sulfur that is incorporated into the MoP surface during the HDS of DBT originates from DBT rather than from H2S.

Graphical abstractMoP pretreated with H2S/H2 under HDS reaction conditions showed the same activity increase as fresh MoP, suggesting that the sulfur incorporated into the MoP surface during the HDS of DBT originates from DBT rather than from H2S.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (84 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The HDS activity and BP selectivity of MoP increased with time on stream. ► The HDS performance of MoP was not affected by H2S pretreatment. ► No sulfur was detected at the surface of the H2S-pretreated MoP. ► The sulfur incorporated into the MoP surface during HDS originates from DBT rather than from H2S.