Effects of preparation method and Mo2C loading on the Mo2C/ZrO2 catalyst for sulfur-resistant methanation

Molybdenum-based catalysts, especially MoS2 have been widely applied to the hydrogenation reaction system for the excellent catalytic and sulfur-resistant performance. As a typical transition metal carbide, there are few reports on the application of Mo2C to sulfur-resistant methanation. Herein, a series of Mo2C/ZrO2 were obtained by coprecipitation and impregnation methods as well as applied to sulfur-resistant methanation. Effects of Mo2C loading and the water bath temperature during coprecipitation on the catalytic activity of Mo2C/ZrO2 were further studied, with emphasis on the change of structures and active components affected by the water bath temperature. The catalyst (15 wt.% Mo2C loading) obtained by coprecipitation at the 80 degrees C water bath exhibited the highest CO conversion (maintained above 60% under the experimental condition). The combined techniques of N-2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, H-2 temperature-programmed reduction were also used to characterize the as-obtained catalysts. The study, with insights of the transformation of Mo species and ZrO2 support during the preparation process, provides the possibility for the further application of Mo2C/ZrO2.