HYDRODESULFURIZATION ACTIVITY OF MOS2 CATALYSTS MODIFIED BY CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION

The surface area of unsupported MoS2 catalysts prepared by thiosalt de composition is found to increase after undergoing a treatment known as chemical exfoliation. Rate measurements of dibenzothiophene hydrodesu lfurization in a batch reactor show that activity decreases for the ch emically modified MoS2 catalysts, along with the hydrogenation/hydrode sulfurization ratios (HYD/HDS). These results indicate that both basal and edge planes of the layered sulfides are rearranged by the exfolia tion treatment, but that other processes must also be involved. Refere nce crystalline MoS2 is also discussed in the work.