Applicability of CNT as support candidate for thiophene hydrodesulfurization and 1-octene hydrogenation catalyst

The application of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as a support candidate for hydrotreating catalysts for FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) gasoline was researched in the microreactor with a fixed bed at experimental conditions. The CNT synthesized using the AC arc discharge method was functionalized by chemical treatment with nitric acid. Scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the functionalized CNT show that during the functionalization of it, HNO3 impurities unwanted for further application were removed and carbon nanostructures have oxidized, and therefore they have oxide functional groups attached to those walls. At all the conditions observed, the Ni-Mo/CNT catalysts and Co-Mo-0.25 catalyst showed better hydrodesulfurization activities in comparison with the conventional Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3. As shown in the XRD analysis, the Ni-W/CNT catalysts showed lowest thiophene hydrodesulfurization activity in the temperature range observed, but they showed very good hydrogenation activity on model compounds used. Catalytic performance tests of different catalysts showed that good applicability of the CNT as support candidate for the hydrotreating catalysts. It also was experimentally demonstrated that the Ni-Mo/CNT and CoMo/CNT can be the best hydrotreating catalysts.

Automated summary

The research demonstrates that carbon nanotubes are a promising support candidate for hydrotreating catalysts, especially after functionalization treatment. The Ni-Mo/CNT and CoMo/CNT catalysts showed the best performance in the catalytic tests.