On the EXAFS determination of the site for the chemisorption of selenophene on sulfided Ni–Mo/Al2O3

Abstract

Simulation of the Mo and Ni K-edge EXAFS spectra of sulfided Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalysts shows that the Mo EXAFS spectrum is rather insensitive to the chemisorption of selenophene; this means that, in contradiction to a former claim, the site for selenophene chemisorption cannot be determined from a comparison of the influences of selenophene chemisorption on the Mo and Ni EXAFS spectra. Experimental EXAFS spectra of a carefully sulfided Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst showed no difference between Mo and Ni K-edge spectra taken before and after adsorption of selenophene.