Catalytic activity of synthesized nanosized molybdenum disulfide for the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene: Effect of H(2)S partial pressure

Nanosized MoS(2) catalysts with basal planes of [not, vert, similar]4 nm were synthesized by thermally annealing ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. The structure and morphology of the obtained phases were determined by XRD, SEM and TEM. These nanosized MoS(2) clusters have a truncated hexagonal shape. The MoS(2) layers in these batches were found to be curved to some extent. Catalytic performance was evaluated by the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene. We studied the effect of a wide range of H(2)S partial pressures on the hydrodesulfurization activity and selectivity. Catalytic activity for the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene increased remarkably when H(2)S was included within the reaction zone. The role of the curved MoS(2) layers on activity is discussed.