The transformation of tetrapentylammonium thiomolybdate into cobalt/molybdenum sulfide hydrodesulfurization catalyst

In this work, we modified a synthesis procedure of the catalyst precursor by changing the mixing order and adding a drying procedure. We also observed the formation of a compound that is constructed like a package and evolves into a catalyst during the hydrodesulfurization process. The compound, or precursor (P), is based on the synthesis of tetrapentylammonium thiomolybdate developed by Seiver et al. (7) and recently modified by Alonso et al. (11) and Nava et al. (15). Further modifications are described in this work where P is transformed into a catalyst precursor (CP) by applying an ex-situ procedure. This CP is then compared against one obtained by the preferred hydrothermal procedure. Finally, the CP is then complete and activated into a catalyst by hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The results of this work indicate that our final catalyst is as active as the catalysts originally obtained by Nava and Alonso. It confirms that catalytic activity have a clear relationship to porosity and surface area. (Abstract shortened by UMI.