Hydrodesulfurization activity of MoS2catalysts modified by chemical exfoliation

The surface area of unsupported MoS2catalysts prepared by thiosalt decomposition is found to increase after undergoing a treatment known as chemical exfoliation. Rate measurements of dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization in a batch reactor show that activity decreases for the chemically modified MoS2catalysts, along with the hydrogenation/hydrodesulfurization ratios (HYD/HDS). These results indicate that both basal and edge planes of the layered sulfides are rearranged by the exfoliation treatment, but that other processes must also be involved. Reference crystalline MoS2is also discussed in the work.