Nanocatalysts: Effect of Active-phase and Promoter on Catalytic Properties and Performance in the Hydrodesulfurization Reaction

Abstract

The influence of various amounts of phosphorus addition on performance of NiMoP/Al₂O₃ and CoMoP/Al₂O₃ nanocatalysts was examined in hydrodesulfurization of thiophene. The nanocatalysts were synthesized via sonochemical technique. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, BET, and FTIR analysis. The catalytic activity in hydrodesulfurization reaction was investigated in a batch stirred slurry reactor at 160°C and atmospheric pressure. The characterizations confirmed highly dispersion of active phase and formation of amorphous AlPO₄ species on the support surface. The results obtained from thiophene hydrodesulfurization showed the nanocatalysts contained 1 wt% of phosphorus had the highest activity. The CoMoP/Al₂O₃ and NiMoP/Al₂O₃ nanocatalysts with optimum phosphorus loading nearly gave 100% conversion of thiophene, so that the sulfur compound concentration in final solution was less than 50 ppm.

Keywords:

• NiMo-P/Al₂O₃
• CoMo-P/Al₂O₃
• H₃PO₄
• hydrodesulfurization
• sonochemistry