Co-promoted few-layer and defect-rich MoS2 for enhanced hydrodeoxygenation of p-cresol

Unsupported CoMo sulfide catalysts are good candidates in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of phenol compounds to aromatics which is important for bio-oil upgrading. However, the key to prepare efficient catalysts is how to increase the content of Co-Mo-S active phase as much as possible. Herein, a dual strategy of layer and defect engineering was realized for the synthesis of few-layer and defect-rich MoS2 (MoS2-FL-DR) through a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. By decreasing the layer number and manufacturing abundant defects on the basal planes, more coordinatively unsaturated sites (CUS) were formed to provide additional sites to accommodate Co atoms. After promoted with Co, Co/MoS2-FL-DR exhibited an excellent performance in the HDO of p-cresol, with p-cresol conversion of 100 % and toluene selectivity of 99.7 % at 230 degrees C. This catalyst also showed a relative good stability after reaction for 72 h. The excellent performance was attributed to the few-layer and defect-rich structure of MoS2 and the formation of large amount Co-Mo-S active phase.

Automated summary

A dual strategy of layer and defect engineering was utilized to prepare few-layer and defect-rich MoS2 catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation of phenol compounds to aromatics. The catalyst exhibited excellent performance with high conversion and selectivity, attributed to the structure of MoS2 and the formation of Co-Mo-S active phase.