Carbon molecular sieves for catalyst supports: Thiophene hydrodesulfurization

The potential of two different mesoporous carbon materials, CMK-1 and CMK-3 supported sulfided Mo catalysts for hydrodesulfurization of thiophene at specific conditions was explored to investigate the effect of different pore sizes, surface oxygen functional groups, metal dispersion, and presulfidation temperature. The Mo catalysts (1~10 wt% of Mo) supported on mesoporous carbons were prepared with (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ldr4H₂O. For comparison, commercial activated carbon (Darco G-60) and alumina (gamma-Al₂O₃) were used as a support for the Mo supported catalysts. Characterization of the supports and the catalysts was carried out by XRD, BET, TEM, EDS, FTIR, acid-base titration, and CO chemisorption. Sulfidation of carbon supported catalysts was favored at 300degC, whereas 400degC favored the sulfidation of alumina supported catalysts. 10 wt% Mo supported catalysts showed the highest thiophene hydrodesulfurization activity in all supports.