Hydrodesulfurization Activity and EXAFS Characterization of Novel Ternary Tin and Lanthanum Molybdenum Sulfide Catalysts

Abstract

Reduced tin and lanthanum molybdenum sulfides prepared by a low-temperature synthesis route are active catalysts for hydrodesulfurization (HDS). Hydrogen pretreatment at temperatures below 600 °C produces amorphous materials, while higher temperature pretreatment results in the formation of Chevrel phases. Spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman, XPS) and EXAFS characterization have confirmed that the Mo6S8 clusters are the primary structural unit in these ternary molybdenum sulfide catalysts.