Catalyst made of NiMo sulfide supported on hydroxyapatite: influence of Al addition on support properties and on the catalytic conversion of dimethyldisulfide

A hydroxyapatite and two AlPO4-enriched apatites have been synthesized to support NiMo sulfide. The NiMo/apatite catalysts convert selectively dimethyldisulfide into methanethiol, contrarily to their analogues NiMo/Al2O3. We established that the activity is improved when using a calcium-deficient apatite. It is showed that superficial HPO42- groups favor the NiMo sulfide dispersion. A small amount of AlPO4 increases the surface area, and thus the catalyst activity. The activity is compared to that of a commercial NiMoP/Al2O3 catalyst.