Synthesis of Ni-Mo-W Sulfide Nanorods as Catalyst for Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene

Two trimetallic sulfurs, MoWNiS and MoWSNi, were synthesized to be used as a catalyst in hydrodesulfurization reactions. The mixed oxide mesoporous nanostructured MoO(3)-WO(3) with an Mo:W atomic ratio of 1:1 was used as the precursor. The first catalyst was prepared by impregnating nickel in the oxide precursor and then subsequent sulfiding with an H(2)S/H(2) mix at 400 degrees C for 2 hours. The second catalyst was prepared by sulfiding the precursor and then impregnating the nickel, and finally reducing the material with a H(2)/N(2) at 350 degrees C. In both catalysts the Mo:W:Ni atomic ratio was maintained at 1:1:0.5. The materials obtained were characterized by physical adsorption of nitrogen, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the materials obtained were evaluated by a dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfuration reaction. The diffraction patterns show that both materials are polycrystalline and mainly of MoS(2) and WS(2) phases.