Bifunctional MoS2-Silica-Alumina Catalysts for Slurry Phase Phenanthrene-Decalin Hydroconversion

Abstract

MoS2-amorphous silica-alumina (MoS2-ASA) bifunctional catalysts for slurry-phase hydroconversion of the model reactants phenanthrene and decalin were prepared using three distinct methodologies. The MoS2-ASA catalysts were prepared by (i) a mechanical mixture of MoS2 (prepared separately) and ASA, which were mixed directly in the reactor for the hydroconversion test (MM catalyst); (ii) in situ sulfidation of the molybdenum precursor in the presence of the ASA, both dispersed in the phenanthrene-decalin reaction mixture (IS catalysts); and (iii) impregnation of molybdenum octoate onto ASA, followed by thermal treatment to chemically link the Mo precursor to the ASA surface followed by sulfidation prior to the catalytic test (IMP catalyst). Among the three preparation methods, the MoS2-ASA catalysts prepared in situ (IS) had the highest MoS2 dispersion and degree of sulfidation and yielded the highest hydrogenating activity at the lowest Mo catalyst content (2.9Mo-ASA). Although the MoS2 blocked Bronsted ac...