Hierarchical Structure of NiMo Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts Determined by Ptychographic X-Ray Computed Tomography

Hydrodesulphurization, the removal of sulphur from crude oils, is an essential catalytic process in the petroleum industry safeguarding the production of clean hydrocarbons. Sulphur removal is critical for the functionality of downstream processes and vital to the elimination of environmental pollutants. The effectiveness of such an endeavour is among other factors determined by the structural arrangement of the heterogeneous catalyst. Namely, the accessibility of the catalytically active molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) slabs located on the surfaces of a porous alumina carrier. Here, we examined a series of pristine sulfided Mo and NiMo hydrodesulphurization catalysts of increasing metal loading prepared on commercial alumina carriers using ptychographic X-ray computed nanotomography. Structural analysis revealed a build consisting of two interwoven support matrix elements differing in nanoporosity. With increasing metal loading, approaching that of industrial catalysts, these matrix elements exhibit a progressively dissimilar MoS₂ surface coverage as well as MoS₂ cluster formation at the matrix element boundaries. This is suggestive of metal deposition limitations and/ or catalyst activation and following prohibitive of optimal catalytic utilization. These results will allow for diffusivity calculations, a better rationale of current generation catalyst performance as well as a better distribution of the active phase in next-generation hydrodesulphurization catalysts.     

Embedding Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide within a Porous Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Matrix to Enhance its H2‐evolving Catalytic Activity and Robustness

Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoS_x) is a promising alternative to Pt catalyst for the H₂ evolution in water. However, it is suffered of an electrochemical corrosion. In this report, we present a strategy to tack this issue by embedding the MoS_x catalyst within a porous poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix. The PEDOT host is firstly grown onto a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode by electrochemical polymerization of EDOT monomer in an acetonitrile solution to perform a porous structure. The MoS_x catalyst is subsequently deposited onto the PEDOT by an electrochemical oxidation of [MoS₄]^2? monomer. In a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte solution, the MoS_x/PEDOT shows higher H₂‐evolving catalytic activities (current density of 34.2 mA/cm² at ?0.4 V vs RHE) in comparison to a pristine MoS_x grown on a planar FTO electrode having similar catalyst loading (24.2 mA/cm²). The PEDOT matrix contributes to enhance the stability of MoS_x catalyst by a significant manner. As such, the MoS_x/PEDOT retains 81 % of its best catalytic activity after 1000 potential scans from 0 to ?0.4 V vs. RHE, whereas a planar MoS_x catalyst is completely degraded after about 240 potential scans, due to its complete corrosion.     

Defect Engineering of MoS2 and Its Impacts on Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Behavior in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has been regarded as a favorable photocatalytic co‐catalyst and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst alternative to expensive noble‐metals catalysts, owing to earth‐abundance, proper band gap, high surface area, and fast electron transfer ability. In order to achieve a higher catalytic efficiency, defects strategies such as phase engineering and vacancy introduction are considered as promising methods for natural 2H‐MoS₂ to increase its active sites and promote electron transfer rate. In this study, we report a new two‐step defect engineering process to generate vacancies‐rich hybrid‐phase MoS₂ and to introduce Ru particles at the same time, which includes hydrothermal reaction and a subsequent hydrogen reduction. Compositional and structural properties of the synthesized defects‐rich MoS₂ are investigated by XRD, XPS, XAFS and Raman measurements, and the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction performance, as well as photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance in the ammonia borane dehydrogenation are evaluated. Both catalytic activities are boosted with the increase of defects concentrations in MoS₂, which ascertains that the defects engineering is a promising route to promote catalytic performance of MoS₂.     

Alkaline‐Earth Metal Doped K‐V Catalysts for Diesel Soot Combustion–Preparation,Characterization and Catalytic Properties

The K‐V‐alkaline‐earth metal catalysts supported on α‐alumina ceramic substrate have been prepared. The morphology of the soot particulates deposited on prepared catalysts supported on α‐alumina ceramic substrate was described by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD was used to characterize the catalysts and their catalytic activities were evaluated by soot oxidation reaction using the TPR system. The SEM photographs presented that soot particles have a particle size of about 100 nm in diameter forming a loose contact with catalyst, which is resemble to the real situation for the catalyst application. The XRD and TPR study showed that the catalytic activities of the catalysts were improved through the cooperation of KNO₃ and some alkaline earth metal compounds. The soot onset ignition temperature at 310°C is the lowest by the cooperation of the crystalline phases KNO₃, KCaVO₄, and Ca₃(VO₄)₂ for the K‐V‐Ca catalyst with a molar ratio of 6:1:1. In addition, the catalyst containing higher KNO₃ content has an adsorption for CO₂. The all prepared K‐V‐Ba catalysts can adsorb more CO₂ at room temperature.     

Controlled Assembly of Porphyrin‐MoS2 Composite Nanosheets for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance

As a promising non‐precious metal photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalyst, MoS₂ exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and stability, while the weak light absorption efficiency and low photoresponse current limit its practical application. Herein, a facile co‐assembly approach is proposed to construct porphyrin‐MoS₂ composite photoelectrocatalysts. The as‐prepared photoelectrocatalysts show a significantly enhanced photocurrent response as high as 16 μA cm^?2, which is about 2 times higher than that of bare MoS₂. Furthermore, the obtained porphyrin‐MoS₂ catalysts exhibit excellent durability when tested for 23000 s, thus providing a useful strategy for the design of highly efficient dye‐sensitized PEC catalysts.     

Mechanochemical Immobilisation of Metathesis Catalysts in a Metal–Organic Framework

A simple, one‐step mechanochemical procedure for immobilisation of homogeneous metathesis catalysts in metal–organic frameworks was developed. Grinding MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) with a Hoveyda–Grubbs second‐generation catalyst resulted in a heterogeneous catalyst that is active for metathesis and one of the most stable immobilised metathesis catalysts. During the mechanochemical immobilisation the MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) structure was partially converted to MIL‐53‐NH₂(Al). The Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst entrapped in MIL‐101‐NH₂(Al) is responsible for the observed catalytic activity. The developed synthetic procedure was also successful for the immobilisation of a Zhan catalyst.     

Ultra‐deep desulfurization of a model fuel using novel VOHPO4 0.5H2O/boehmite catalysts

A high‐surface‐area boehmite was used as the support for a series of vanadium phosphate catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by heating of V₂O₅ in an isobutyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol mixture at 140°C for 5 h to reduce V⁵⁺ to more active V⁴⁺ in the presence of phosphoric acid. Then a series of catalysts with various VPO loadings on boehmite were synthesized. The catalysts were characterized using various techniques. The catalysts were utilized for extraction combined with catalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene. The important factors influencing the desulfurization process, including reaction time, temperature, H₂O₂, catalyst loading, catalyst amount and solvents, were systematically investigated. Under the optimized reaction conditions, i.e. 30 mg of catalyst loading at 50°C and in 60 min, sulfur removal reached 94%. The catalyst was recycled and reused five times.     

Self‐Optimization of the Active Site of Molybdenum Disulfide by an Irreversible Phase Transition during Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The metallic 1T‐MoS₂ has attracted considerable attention as an effective catalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). However, the fundamental mechanism about the catalytic activity of 1T‐MoS₂ and the associated phase evolution remain elusive and controversial. Herein, we prepared the most stable 1T‐MoS₂ by hydrothermal exfoliation of MoS₂ nanosheets vertically rooted into rigid one‐dimensional TiO₂ nanofibers. The 1T‐MoS₂ can keep highly stable over one year, presenting an ideal model system for investigating the HER catalytic activities as a function of the phase evolution. Both experimental studies and theoretical calculations suggest that 1T phase can be irreversibly transformed into a more active 1T′ phase as true active sites in photocatalytic HERs, resulting in a “catalytic site self‐optimization”. Hydrogen atom adsorption is the major driving force for this phase transition.     

Ultra Deep Hydrodesulfurization of Gas Oils Over Sulfide and/or Noble Metal Catalysts

Deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of sterically hindered sulfur compounds in gas oils will require enhanced hydrogenation activity to hydrogenate the aromatic rings of the sulfur compounds. Although H₂S is known to inhibit the direct HDS route for most of the sulfided catalysts, its promotion to the hydrogenation and subsequent HDS was newly observed for unsupported MoS₂. This promotion suggests that ultra deep HDS over sulfide catalysts can be achieved along with high metal loading, minimal support-metal interactions and optimal dependence on the Ni species. On the other hand, the strong hydrogenation activity of sulfur-tolerant noble metal catalysts suggests that ultra deep HDS as well as deep aromatics saturation can be achieved. This paper discusses recent catalytic approaches for ultra deep HDS using conventional sulfide catalysts and/or noble metal catalysts, such as the newly developed Pd-Pt/Yb-USY zeolite catalyst.     

氧化铝载体对Pt-Sn/Al2O3催化剂上苯胺和苯甲醇一步合成N-苯基苄胺催化反应性能的影响

以基于借氢策略的苯甲醇和苯胺一步合成N-苯基苄胺为模型反应,研究了三种不同表面结构的氧化铝对其负载的Pt-Sn催化剂上N-烷基化合成仲胺反应性能的影响.采用N₂吸附-脱附法、压汞法、X射线衍射、透射电镜、扫描电镜、CO脉冲吸附、H₂-程序升温还原及NH₃-程序升温脱附等技术对载体和Pt-Sn/Al₂O₃催化剂进行了表征.结果表明,与Al₂O₃相互作用较弱且高度分散的Pt颗粒具有很高的催化活性,Al₂O₃载体较大的孔体积和大孔分布的孔结构有助于反应物扩散和吸附到催化剂表面并提高反应活性.同时也有利于反应产物从催化剂表面离开,从而提高催化剂的稳定性.然而Al₂O₃较强的酸性及酸性分布降低了产物仲胺的选择性和催化剂稳定性.     

Effects of Mo2C loading and H2S concentration on Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst applied in sulfur‐resistant methanation

Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by the impregnation method with urotropine and ammonium paramolybdate. The catalytic effect of Mo₂C as a typical transition‐metal carbide in sulfur‐resistant methanation was studied. The catalysts prepared were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, H₂‐temperature‐programmed reduction, and Raman spectra, with the results confirming the formation of β‐molybdenum carbide on the surface of the catalysts. Studies on catalysts with different loading doses indicate that the optimal loading of Mo₂C/Al₂O₃ is about 15 wt.%, which enables CO conversion rate of up to 47%, with methane selectivity of up to 53%. This work further explored the effect of different concentrations of H₂S in the raw gas on the performance of the catalyst, with the results showing that high concentration of H₂S (>1500 ppm) can lead to sulfuration of active species on the catalyst, while resulting in a decrease in the catalytic activity.     

Effect of cobalt and its adding sequence on the catalytic performance of MoO3/Al2O3 toward sulfur-resistant methanation

The effect of promoter cobalt and the sequences of adding cobalt and molybdenum precursors on the performance of sulfur-resistant methanation were investigated. All these samples were prepared by impregnation method and characterized by N₂-adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). The conversions of CO for Mo-Co/Al, Co-Mo/Al and CoMo/Al catalysts were 59.7%, 54.3% and 53.9%, respectively. Among these catalysts, the Mo-Co/Al catalyst prepared stepwisely by impregnating Mo precursor firstly showed the best catalytic performance. Meanwhile, the conversions of CO were 48.9% for Mo/Al catalyst and 10.5% for Co/Al catalyst. The addition of cobalt species could improve the catalytic activity of Mo/Al catalyst. The N₂-adsorption results showed that Co-Mo/Al catalyst had the smallest specific surface area among these catalysts. CoMoO₄ species in CoMo/Al catalyst were detected with XRD, TPR and LRS. Moreover, crystal MoS₂ which was reported to be less active than amorphous MoS₂ was found in both Co-Mo/Al and CoMo/Al catalysts. Mo-Co/Al catalyst showed the best catalytic performance as it had an appropriate surface structure, i.e., no crystal MoS₂ and very little CoMoO₄ species.     

MoS2 Nanosheets Supported on 3D Graphene Aerogel as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

The development of efficient catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen evolution is essential for energy conversion technologies. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has emerged as a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, and its performance greatly depends on its exposed edge sites and conductivity. Layered MoS₂ nanosheets supported on a 3D graphene aerogel network (GA‐MoS₂) exhibit significant catalytic activity in hydrogen evolution. The GA‐MoS₂ composite displays a unique 3D architecture with large active surface areas, leading to high catalytic performance with low overpotential, high current density, and good stability.     

Al_(2)O_(3)-Zn-K催化水解COS和CS_(2)的研究北大核心CSCD

以活性氧化铝为载体,浸渍负载Zn、K活性组分,制备优选Al_(2)O_(3)-Zn-K催化剂.考察了反应工艺条件对COS、CS_(2)脱除精度的影响,并对失活的催化剂进行表征,分析催化剂的失活原因.结果表明,负载Zn、K活性组分后,催化剂的弱碱性中心显著提高,负载量为4%时催化剂具有最优的水解活性.在180℃催化水解过程中,工艺条件对CS_(2)脱除精度的影响较COS更为明显.无氧条件下,反应过程中生成的硫酸盐和表面活性物质发生迁移导致催化剂碱性中心减少是催化剂失活的主要原因.     

Effect of Nano‐support and Type of Active Metal on Reforming of CH4 with CO2

Two series of Co and Ni based catalysts supported over commercial (ZrO₂, CeO₂, and Al₂O₃) nano supports were investigated for dry reforming of methane. The catalytic activity of both Co and Ni based catalysts were assessed at different reaction temperatures ranging from 500—800 °C; however, for stability the time on stream experiments were conducted at 700 °C for 6 h. Various techniques such as N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherm, temperature‐programmed reduction (H₂‐TPR), temperature‐programmed desorption (CO₂‐TPD), temperature‐programmed oxidation (TPO), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were applied for characterization of fresh and spent catalysts. The catalytic activity and stability tests clearly showed that the performance of catalyst is strongly dependent on type of active metal and support. Furthermore, active metal particle size and Lewis basicity are key factors which have significant influence on catalytic performance. The results indicated that Ni supported over nano ZrO₂ exhibited highest activity among all tested catalysts due to its unique properties including thermal stability and reducibility. The minimum carbon deposition and thus relatively stable performance was observed in case of Co‐Al catalyst, since this catalyst has shown highest Lewis basicity.     

High Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt–Pd Binary Spherocrystals Chemically Assembled in Vertically Aligned TiO2 Nanotubes

To obtain noble metal catalysts with high efficiency, long‐term stability, and poison resistance, Pt and Pd are assembled in highly ordered and vertically aligned TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) by means of the pulsed‐current deposition (PCD) method with assistance of ultrasonication (UC). Here, Pd serves as a dispersant which prevents agglomeration of Pt. Thus Pt–Pd binary catalysts are embed into TiO₂ NTs array under UC in sunken patterns of composite spherocrystals (Sps). Owing to this synthesis method and restriction by the NTs, the these catalysts show improved dispersion, more catalytically active sites, and higher surface area. This nanotubular metallic support material with good physical and chemical stability prevents catalyst loss and poisoning. Compared with monometallic Pt and Pd, the sunken‐structured Pt–Pd spherocrystal catalyst exhibits better catalytic activity and poison resistance in electrocatalytic methanol oxidation because of its excellent dispersion. The catalytic current density is enhanced by about 15 and 310 times relative to monometallic Pt and Pd, respectively. The poison resistance of the Pt–Pd catalyst was 1.5 times higher than that of Pt and Pd, and they show high electrochemical stability with a stable current enduring for more than 2100 s. Thus, the TiO₂ NTs on a Ti substrate serve as an excellent support material for the loading and dispersion of noble metal catalysts.     

Structure and Thiophene Hydrodesulfurization Activity of MoS2/Al2O3 Catalysts

It was found that, in MoS₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by exfoliation, the structure of MoS₂ is strongly distorted. The catalytic activities of these catalysts and traditionally prepared catalysts toward the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene were compared. It was established that the stacking dimension of MoS₂ in the catalysts prepared by exfoliation was 200 Å, whereas it was 20 Å in a standard catalyst. It was demonstrated that, although the number of molybdenum atoms in the edge plane per gram of MoS₂ in the catalysts prepared by exfoliation was 10 times smaller than that in the standard catalyst, the activity of these catalysts was close to the activity of the standard catalyst. On this basis, it was suggested that the hydrodesulfurization of thiophene can occur on the basal plane of MoS₂ that has a defect-free structure with a distorted environment of molybdenum.     

Effect of CO2/CO Addition in Dehydroaromatization of Methane on Zeolite-Supported Mo and Re Catalysts Towards Hydrogen, Benzene and Naphthalene

High activity and high formation selectivity for aromatics in the dehydrocondensation reaction of methane were realized only on selected catalysts. The requisites of a metal and a zeolite support as the selected catalyst were described. However, the catalytic activity steadily declined even on the selected catalysts with time on stream because of coke accumulation. A stable catalytic activity was obtained when CO₂ or CO was added into methane feed due to effective removal of coke from the catalyst surface by CO or CO₂. The route from methane to aromatics and the formation process of active phase of catalyst were discussed.     

Effect of CO2/CO Addition in Dehydroaromatization of Methane on Zeolite-Supported Mo and Re Catalysts Towards Hydrogen, Benzene and Naphthalene

High activity and high formation selectivity for aromatics in the dehydrocondensation reaction of methane were realized only on selected catalysts. The requisites of a metal and a zeolite support as the selected catalyst were described. However, the catalytic activity steadily declined even on the selected catalysts with time on stream because of coke accumulation. A stable catalytic activity was obtained when CO₂ or CO was added into methane feed due to effective removal of coke from the catalyst surface by CO or CO₂. The route from methane to aromatics and the formation process of active phase of catalyst were discussed.     

Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over Hierarchical Composites of ZnIn2S4 Nanosheets Grown on MoS2 Slices

A highly active hierarchical MoS₂/ZnIn₂S₄ composite catalyst was synthesized in situ by using a facile controlled‐growth approach through a solvothermal process. During the solvothermal reaction, 2D ultrathin curled ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets grew on the surface of MoS₂ slices, which could help to form a more‐homogeneous mixture, effective interfacial contact, and strong interactions between the ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets and the MoS₂ slices. The intimate contact between ZnIn₂S₄ and MoS₂ favored the formation of junctions between the two components, thereby improving the charge separation and prolonging the mean lifetime of the electron–hole pairs. Moreover, growing ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets by visible‐light catalysis on MoS₂ slices afforded a higher number of available catalytically active sites. So, the photocatalytic hydrogen‐evolution performance of the hierarchical MoS₂/ZnIn₂S₄ composite was significantly enhanced, owing to a synergistic effect of these factors. This work could provide new insights into the fabrication of a highly efficient and low‐cost non‐noble‐metal co‐catalyst for visible‐light H₂ generation.