Model hydrodesulfurization catalysts: Solid state synthesis and characterization of iron containing molybdenum sulphide

Abstract

Model catalysts for hydrodesulfurization were synthesized via solid state reactions of elemental sulfur with metallic iron and molybdenum powders. The starting materials had a general stoichiometry of Fe2[alpha]Mo1-[alpha]S2 with [alpha] between 0.025 and 0.3. X-ray diffraction and selected-area electron diffraction were used to characterize the solid phases formed both before and after exposure to typical reaction conditions. Catalytic activity for the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene was tested in a flow reactor and high activity coincided with the presence of a non-stoichiometric, sulfur-deficient molybdenum sulfide phase.