Relationship between the structure and catalytic performance of MoS2 with different surfactant-assisted syntheses in the hydrodesulfurization reaction of 4,6-DMDBT

Abstract

Surfactants are important factors in the hydrothermal synthesis of MoS₂ with different morphologies. Herein, we report the synthesis of MoS₂ via the hydrothermal method combined with a single-source precursor with the assistance of different surfactants (CTAB/SDS/SDBS). The synthesis mechanisms of MoS₂ with different morphologies and their effects on 4,6-DMDBT in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) have been systematically studied. MoS₂-CTAB was prepared by the adsorption of molybdate radicals, nucleation and formation. MoS₂-SDS and MoS₂-SDBS were synthesized via four steps, namely, adsorption, insertion, exfoliation and assembly, and the relationship between the morphology-structure-performance of MoS₂ in the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT was investigated. It was established that the desulfurization rate of MoS₂, HYD ratio and selectivity of the MoS₂ increased in the order: MoS₂-SDBS > MoS₂-CTAB > MoS₂-SDS, which exhibited a positive correlation with the average number of layers and dispersion, and a negative correlation with the average slab length and the ratio of the Mo edge/corner sites of MoS₂. Among all the MoS₂, MoS₂-SDBS exhibited the best HDS performance.