Cobalt promoted molybdenum carbide supported on γ-alumina as an efficient catalyst for hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2022-10, Vol.371, p.133642, Article 133642
• Main Authors: Yue, Shengnan, Wu, Baoqin, Cao, Zhiyuan, Zhou, Linkai, Yin, Zequn, Zou, Xiujing, Wang, Xueguang, Zou, Xingli, Lu, Xionggang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cobalt promoter; Density functional theory; Dibenzothiophene; Hydrodesulfurization; Molybdenum carbide
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133642

The development of new hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts with suitable electronic structure and metal-support interaction are critical for the efficient removal of sulfur from oil. In this work, cobalt-promoted molybdenum carbide supported on mesoporous alumina (CoxMo2C/MA) catalysts were prepared by a simple one-step hydrolysis method combined with a temperature programmed carbonization process, and the effects of Co on the physicochemical properties and HDS performance of the catalysts were systematically investigated. The results show that the appropriate Co addition can reduce the interaction between Mo species and alumina support, which is beneficial for the carbonization of Mo. Besides, the introduction of Co makes Mo species electron-rich, causing the C–S bond is vulnerable to attack. Taking dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a probe, Co0.3Mo2C/MA shows significant high sulfur removal efficiency (about 100%) and effective direct desulfurization selectivity. Furthermore, the density functional theory calculations further prove that the activation energy barrier of DBT HDS at the Co–Mo2C site is lower than that of Mo2C, confirming its reaction is easier to proceed. This work may provide a strategy for accessing new efficient modified molybdenum carbide catalysts for the HDS field. Co-promoted Mo2C supported on γ-alumina has been successfully synthesized as an efficient catalyst for dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization, which exhibits about 100% sulfur removal efficiency. DFT further proves that the reaction energy barrier of DDS at the Co–Mo2C site is lower than that of Mo2C site. [Display omitted] •Co-promoted Mo2C catalyst supported on γ-alumina has been successfully synthesized.•The effect of Co modification on the catalyst was systematically investigated.•The catalyst exhibits excellent hydrodesulfurization performance with about 100% sulfur removal.•DFT proves that the reaction energy barrier of DDS at the Co–Mo2C active site decreased.