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Title: Surface structure and catalytic activity of MoO/sub 3//Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ catalysts in the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100451a019· OSTI ID:6212247

Catalysts containing 2.4-23.1% molybdenum trioxide on alumina were calcined and either tested for their activity for thiophene hydrodesulfurization without further pretreatment, or hydrogen-reduced or sulfided (CS/sub 2/ + H/sub 2/) before the activity tests. The catalysts were also characterized by pyridine adsorption, extraction of molybdenum with water and aqueous ammonia solution, and ESCA of the sulfided catalysts. The intrinsic hydrodesulfurization activity correlated with the sulfur-molybdenum ratio in a volcano-shaped plot with the peak at the 1:1 ratio, and it was independent of pretreatment and molybdenum content. At low molybdenum contents and for partial sulfidation, a 1:1 sulfur/molybdenum(IV) (S/Mo1) species formed; on fully sulfided catalysts an MoS/sub 2/ species was also present; and the S/Mo1 species had a much higher intrinsic activity than MoS/sub 2/. Apparently, the high anion vacancy concentration of the S/Mo1 promoted the reaction. The surface structure of the sulfided catalyst and the molybdenum redox cycle are discussed.

Research Organization:
Osaka Univ.
OSTI ID:
6212247
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 84:14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English