Ultradeep hydrodesulfurization of fuel over superior NiMoS phases constructed by a novel Ni(MoS4)2(C13H30N)2 precursor

Abstract

This article presents novel decyltrimethylammonium bromide-dispersed Ni–Mo sulfide (DTMA-NiMo) as a precursor for preparing an efficient NiMoS/γ-Al₂O₃ hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalyst. The as-synthesized DTMA-NiMo is a sulfide containing both long-chain quaternary ammonium and Ni–Mo–S elements. The proposed method not only significantly improves the dispersion of Mo species but also greatly promotes the incorporation of Ni into MoS₂ slabs, leading to an increase in the number of NiMoS phases. As a result, the DTMA-NiMo-based NiMoS/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibits much higher activity for the HDS of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) diesel than NiMoS/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by the co-impregnation and tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB)-assisted methods. This novel strategy sheds a light on the facile and low-cost preparation of superior NiMoS phases without sulfidation treatment.