Enhancement of the hydrodesulfurization and C-S bond cleavage activities of rhodium phosphide catalysts by platinum addition

To enhance the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of SiO2-supported Rh phosphide catalysts, various second metal-added Rh-P catalysts were developed; furthermore, the effect of the addition of the second metal on the HDS performance was examined. The second metals (M: Ru, Pt, and Ir) were selected as per the Sabatier principle. In situ X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of an Rh2P phase in the Rh-M-P catalyst after reduction. The addition of Ru and Pt to the Rh-P catalyst enhanced the C-S bond cleavage activity, whereas the addition of Ir had virtually no effect. The Rh-Pt-P catalyst demonstrated the highest HDS activity among Rh-M-P catalysts. The characterization results revealed the presence of positively charged Pt on the Rh-Pt-P catalyst surface, in which Pt and Rh cooperatively act as active sites to enhance the C-S bond cleavage activity. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The addition of a second metal (Ru, Pt, and Ir) to SiO2-supported Rh phosphide catalysts enhances the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity. Among the Rh-M-P catalysts, Rh-Pt-P catalyst exhibits the highest HDS activity, where Pt and Rh cooperate as active sites to enhance the C-S bond cleavage.