FAD-modified SiO2/ZrO2/C ceramic electrode for electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate

SiO₂/ZrO₂/C carbon ceramic material with composition (in wt%) SiO₂ = 50, ZrO₂ = 20, and C = 30 was prepared by the sol–gel-processing method. A high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image showed that ZrO₂ and the graphite particles are well dispersed inside the matrix. The electrical conductivity obtained for the pressed disks of the material was 18 S cm⁻¹, indicating that C particles are also well interconnected inside the solid. An electrode modified with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prepared by immersing the solid SiO₂/ZrO₂/C, molded as a pressed disk, inside a FAD solution (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) was used to investigate the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate. The reduction of both ions occurred at a peak potential of −0.41 V vs. the saturated calomel reference electrode. The linear response range (lrr) and detection limit (dl) were: BrO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵–1.23 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ and dl = 2.33 μmol L⁻¹; IO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵ up to 2.42 × 10⁻³ and dl = 1.46 μmol L⁻¹ for iodate.     

Influence of the support on the state of nickel in the Ni/SiO2, Ni/ZrO2, and Ni/SO4/ZrO2 oxide systems studied by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy

The Ni/SiO₂, Ni/ZrO₂, and Ni/SO₄/ZrO₂ systems were studied by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy using CO as a probe molecule. The Ni/SiO₂ and Ni/ZrO₂ systems are similar in properties, and the state of nickel in the Ni/ZrO₂ system is determined by the specific surface area. In the Ni/SO₄/ZrO₂ system, the surface sulfur compounds affect substantially the state of nickel: Ni^δ+ species with a partial positive charge are formed due to the strong electron-acceptor properties of the sulfur compounds. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 409–413, March, 1998.     

Catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexene over MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

A series of MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with different Mo surface densities (Mo atoms/nm²) has been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. Structural characteristics of the prepared catalysts were investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). The catalytic activities of the prepared catalysts were tested by cyclohexene conversion between 200 and 400 °C. XRD results indicated that molybdenum oxide species were dispersed as a monolayer on the support up to 4.04 Mo atoms/nm², and the formation of crystalline MoO₃ was observed above this loading. FTIR and TPR results showed that molybdenum oxide species were present predominantly in tetrahedral form at lower loading, and polymeric octahedral forms were dominant at higher loading. Cyclohexene conversion reaction proceeded mainly through the simple dehydrogenation pathway in the studied temperature range 200–400 °C and was found to be highly dependent on MoO₃ dispersion.     

Enhanced sulfur‐resistant methanation performance over MoO3–ZrO2 catalyst prepared by solution combustion method

Sulfur‐resistant methanation of syngas was studied over MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalysts at 400°C. The MoO₃–ZrO₂ solid‐solution catalysts were prepared using the solution combustion method by varying MoO₃ content and temperature. The 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst achieved the highest methanation performance with CO conversion up to 80% at 400°C. The structure of ZrO₂ and dispersed MoO₃ species was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The energy‐dispersive spectrum of the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst showed that the solution combustion method gave well‐dispersed MoO₃ particles on the surface of ZrO₂. The structure of the catalysts depends on the Mo surface density. It was observed that in the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst the Mo surface density of 4.2 Mo atoms nm^?2 approaches the theoretical monolayer capacity of 5 Mo atoms nm^?2. The addition of a small amount of MoO₃ to ZrO₂ led to higher tetragonal content of ZrO₂ along with a reduction of particle size. This leads to an efficient catalyst for the low‐temperature CO methanation process.     

Physicochemical properties of the surface of the (Y,La0.1)Ce x Zr1? x O2?δ( x = 0.1–0.7) and Y0.1Pr0.3Zr0.6O2?δ complex oxide systems

The physicochemical properties of the surface of the Y_0.1Ce _x Zr_1−x O_2−δ, La_0.1Ce _x Zr_1−x O_2−δ (x=0.1–0.7), and Y_0.1Pr_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ. complex oxide systems were studied using IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. An appreciable enrichment of the surface of the solids in rare-earth-metal cations (cerium or praseodymium) during the synthesis was revealed. While cations are uniformly spread over the surface of cerium-zirconium solid solutions, the Y_0.1Pr_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ surface is covered by the clusters or even a phase of praseodymia. Reductive treatment in hydrogen with subsequent reoxidation results in the segregation of cerium ions on the Y_0.1Ce_0.3Zr_0.6O_2−δ surface at a temperature as low as 770 K. Original Russian Text ? A.N. Kharlanov, L.N. Ikryannikova, V.V. Lunin, A. Yu. Stakheev, 2007, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 81, No. 7, pp. 1271–1277.     

Formation Mechanism of O2– Radical Anions in the Adsorption of NO + O2 and NO2 + O2 Mixtures on ZrO2 According to EPR and TPD Data

The effects of various factors on the formation of O₂ ^– radical anions in the adsorption of an NO + O₂ or NO₂ + O₂ mixture on ZrO₂ were studied. It was found that the thermal stability of the O₂ ^– species depends on the composition of the adsorbed gas. It was suggested that nitrogen oxide complexes on ZrO₂ centers are responsible for the formation of O₂ ^–. These centers are formed upon the treatment of the oxide in a vacuum; however, they are different from both coordinatively unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ cations (NO adsorption centers at 77 K) and Zr⁴⁺–O^––O^––Zr⁴⁺ centers, at which O₂ ^– are formed because of the adsorption of H₂ + O₂. Based on the experimental data, the mechanism of O₂ ^– formation in the adsorption of an NO + O₂ mixture is discussed.     

Catalytic properties of Pt/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts in the aqueous-phase reforming of ethylene glycol: Effect of the alumina support

The influence of the alumina support on the catalytic activity of Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts in aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol to hydrogen was studied. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of γ-, δ-, and α-alumina with H₂PtCl₆. The highest rate of hydrogen production (452 μmol min⁻¹ g⁻¹) obtained with the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst can be related to the highest extent of dispersion of Pt on α-Al₂O₃. XPS, TEM-EDX and TPR-H₂ measurements showed the absence of chloride-containing surface complexes in the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst. However, chloride-containing entities were found on the surface of Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ and Pr/δ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. When chloride ions are removed chlorinated Pt species facilitate the sintering of Pt crystallites and in this way affect the extent of Pt dispersion. Moreover, depending upon the particular crystalline form, alumina atoms have different coordination and alumina surfaces contain varying amounts of OH groups of different nature which affect the interaction between Pt and the support.     

Structure and surface properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and Zr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> prepared by a microemulsion method according to X-ray diffraction,TPR, and EPR data

It was established by X-ray diffraction, TPR, and EPR that microemulsion (m.e.) synthesis yields the binary oxides ZrO₂(m.e.) and CeO₂(m.e.) and the mixed oxide Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂(m.e.) in the form of a tetragonal, cubic, and pseudocubic phase, respectively, having crystallite sizes of 5–6 nm. The bond energy of surface oxygen in the (m.e.) samples is lower than in their analogues prepared by pyrolysis. Hydrogen oxidation on the oxides under study occurs at higher temperatures than CO oxidation. ZrO₂(m.e.) and CeO₂(m.e.) are active in O₂⁻ formation during NO + O₂ adsorption, while CeO₂ is active during CO + O₂ adsorption, too. However, its amount here is one-half to one-third its amount in the pyrolysis-prepared samples, signifying a reduced number of active sites, which are Zr⁴⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ coordinatively unsaturated cations and Me⁴⁺-O²⁻ pairs. O₂⁻ radical anions are stabilized in the coordination sphere of Zr⁴⁺ coordinatively unsaturated cations via ionic bonding, and in the sphere of Ce⁴⁺ cations, via covalent bonding. Ionic bonds are stronger than ionic-covalent bonds and do not depend on the ZrO₂ phase composition. Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is inactive in these reactions because of the strong interaction of Zr and Ce cations. It is suggested that Ce^{(4 + β)+} coordinatively unsaturated cations exist on its surface, and their acid strength is lower than that of Zr⁴⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ cations in ZrO₂ and CeO₂, according to the order ZrO₂ > CeO₂ ≥ Zr_0.5Ce_0.5O₂. Neither TPR nor adsorption of probe molecules revealed Zr cations on the surface of the mixed oxide.     

Preparation of high surface area ZrO2 and ZrO2-Y2O3 from the alkoxide

In order to obtain a catalyst support with a high surface area, ZrO₂ and ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ were prepared by the hydrolytic decomposition of the corresponding isopropoxide dissolved in benzene. The hydrolysis was carried out at 80°C using an excess amount of distilled water in flowing dry nitrogen. The precipitates thus obtained were dried at 100°C followed by calcination at 500°C in air or nitrogen for 1 h. The specific surface areas for both of the ZrO₂ and ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ increased with increasing amount of water added for hydrolysis, and the surface areas for ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ increased with increasing yttrium content. A ZrO₂ having a surface area of 130 m²/g was produced, and a stabilized tetragonal ZrO₂ with 15 mol% Y³⁺ having a surface area of 200 m²/g was produced. Furthermore, despite the difference in the ZrO₂ and ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ crystal structures, the lattice-strain of ZrO₂ has been unequivocally related to the surface area.     

Synthesis and Structure of the Alkoxido-Titanium Pentamolybdate (nBu4N)3[(iPrO)TiMo5O18]: An Entry into Systematic TiMo5 Reactivity

The alkoxido-titanium pentamolybdate [(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]³⁻ (1) has been obtained as its tetrabutylammonium (TBA) salt by hydrolysis of a mixture containing (TBA)₂[Mo₂O₇], (TBA)₄[Mo₈O₂₆] and Ti(OⁱPr)₄ in MeCN and has been characterised by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁷O, ⁴⁹Ti and ⁹⁵Mo NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The Lindqvist-type structure is derived from [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ by replacement of {Mo=O}⁴⁺ by {(ⁱPrO)Ti}³⁺ and shows bond alternation in the TiMo₃O₄ rings, with average bond distances of 1.956(8) ? for Ti–O(Mo), 1.832(7) ? for Mo–O(Ti), 1.943(7) ? for Mo_eq–O(Mo_ax) and 1.910(6) ? for Mo_ax–O(Mo_eq), while the increase in charge results in a decrease in ¹⁷O NMR chemical shift for terminal Mo=O groups from δ 933 for [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ to δ 875 and 857 for 1 and a shift in ν_Mo=O from 951 cm⁻¹ for [Mo₆O₁₉]²⁻ to 930 cm⁻¹ for 1. The main peaks in the negative-ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrum of (TBA)₃ 1 could be assigned to ion aggregates containing 1 or fragments derived from 1, including {(TBA)₂[(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]}⁻, {(TBA)[(ⁱPrO)TiMo₅O₁₈]}²⁻, {(ⁱPrO)TiMo₂O₈}⁻, {TiMo₅O₁₈}²⁻, {TiMo₄O₁₅}²⁻ and {Mo₃O₁₀}²⁻.     

Simulation of radiation-chemical transformations in aqueous nitric oxide and nitrite solutions

A kinetic model of radiation-chemical transformations of nitrogen oxide and nitrites in aqueous solutions is proposed. It includes the previously developed reaction scheme for water and H₂, H₂O₂, and O₂ solutions complemented by the reactions of water radiolysis products with NO and NO₂⁻. It has been shown that the model describes well experimental data on the decomposition of the compounds and the buildup of products depending on the absorbed dose in aqueous solutions at different pH values.     

Transient Spark Discharge Generated in Various N2/O2 Gas Mixtures: Reactive Species in the Gas and Water and Their Antibacterial Effects

Reactive species generated in the gas and in water by cold air plasma of the transient spark discharge in various N₂/O₂ gas mixtures (including pure N₂ and pure O₂) have been examined. The discharge was operated without/with circulated water driven down the inclined grounded electrode. Without water, NO and NO₂ are typically produced with maximum concentrations at 50% O₂. N₂O was also present for low O₂ contents (up to 20%), while O₃ was generated only in pure O₂. With water, gaseous NO and NO₂ concentrations were lower, N₂O was completely suppressed and HNO₂ increased; and O₃ was lowered in O₂ gas. All species production decreased with the gas flow rate increasing from 0.5 to 2.2 L/min. Liquid phase species (H₂O₂, NO₂￣, NO₃￣, ^·OH) were detected in plasma treated water. H₂O₂ reached the highest concentrations in pure N₂ and O₂. On the other hand, nitrites NO₂￣ and nitrates NO₃￣ peaked between 20 and 80% O₂ and were associated with pH reduction. The concentrations of all species increased with the plasma treatment time. Aqueous ^·OH radicals were analyzed by terephthalic acid fluorescence and their concentration correlated with H₂O₂. The antibacterial efficacy of the transient spark on bacteria in water increased with water treatment time and was found the strongest in the air-like mixture thanks to the peroxynitrite formation. Yet, significant antibacterial effects were found even in pure N₂ and in pure O₂ most likely due to high ^·OH radical concentrations. Controlling the N₂/O₂ ratio in the gas mixture, gas flow rate, and water treatment time enables tuning the antibacterial efficacy.

     

Role of Adsorption of Reagents in Reduction of NO by Propene on ZrO2-Based Complex Oxide Systems

We have used IR spectroscopy to study adsorption of NO, propene, and their mixture on Rh-Cr₂O₃/ZrO₂ and Rh-CeO₂/ZrO₂ catalysts at temperatures of 293-623 K. We have established that adsorption and coadsorption of the reagents (NO and C₃H₆) have important differences, depending on the nature of the surface. Weak adsorption interactions of the reaction mixture on Rh-CeO₂/ZrO₂ lead to significantly lower activity of this catalyst in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by propene.     

Structural research on non transition metal double nitrites: Crystal structure, optical absorption and emission of TlBa2(NO2)5

The thallium-barium double nitrite, TlBa₂(NO₂)5, is pyroelectric in the 77-600 K range and crystallizes in thePca2 ₁ space group. The lattice constants at 293 K are: a = 17.868(12),b = 4.934(3),c = 13-426(11) A (MoKa, λ = 0.71069 A). There are four stoichiometric units in the unit cell of volume V= 1184(1) A³ (D _o = 3.98,D _x = 3.979 Mgm⁻³),F (000) = 1232, μ = 20.36mm⁻¹. The crystal structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by least-squares to a final conventional agreement indexR = 0.053 for 1371 independent reflections collected in a θ range of 3–30°, using MoKα radiation. There are two independent barium atoms surrounded by NO ₂ ⁻ groups, both with coordination number 10 and distances in the ranges Ba-O = 2.69(4)-3.18(4) A and Ba-N = 3.01(4)-3.18(4) A. The environment of thallium is clearly affected by the lone-pair stereoactivity and involves 12 Tl-O and Tl-N contacts less than 3.5A, but only four Tl-O distances are shorter than 3 A (min. 2.76(2), max. 2.85(3) A), with a pyramidal coordination and thallium at the apex of the pyramid. All these coordination polyhedra are joined in chains running along the shortest lattice vector [010]. The single crystal electronic spectra, studied in absorption with polarized light and in photostimulated emission, are interpreted as due to transitions involving NO ₂ ⁻ electronic levels perturbed by Tl⁺, whose spin-orbit interaction makes probable also the forbidden singlet-triplet transitions, in agreement with the interpretative picture given for post-transition metal nitrites.     

Catalytic Active Site for NO Decomposition Elucidated by Surface Science and Real Catalyst

Comprehensive studies combining surface science and real catalyst were performed to get further insight into catalytic active site and reaction mechanism for NO decomposition over supported palladium and cobalt oxide-based catalysts. On palladium single-crystal model catalysts, adsorption, dissociation and desorption behavior of NO was found to be closely related to the surface structures, the stepped surface palladium being active for dissociation of NO. In accordance with this result, the activity of powder Pd/Al₂O₃ catalysts for NO decomposition was directly related to the number of step sites exposed on the surface, suggesting that the step sites act as the catalytic active site for NO decomposition on Pd/Al₂O₃. NO decomposition over cobalt oxide was found to be significantly promoted by addition of alkali metals. Surface science study and catalyst characterization led to the same conclusion that the interface between the alkali metal and Co₃O₄ serves as the catalytic active site. From the results of in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and isotopic transient kinetic analysis, a reaction mechanism was proposed in which the reaction is initiated by NO adsorption onto alkali metals to form NO₂⁻ species and then NO₂⁻ species react with the adsorbed NO species to form N₂ over the interface between the alkali metal and Co₃O₄.     

ZrO2- and Li2ZrO3-stabilized spinel and layered electrodes for lithium batteries

Strategies for countering the solubility of LiMn₂O₄ (spinel) electrodes at 50 °C and for suppressing the reactivity of layered LiMO₂ (M=Co, Ni, Mn, Li) electrodes at high potentials are discussed. Surface treatment of LiMn₂O₄ with colloidal zirconia (ZrO₂) dramatically improves the cycling stability of the spinel electrode at 50 °C in Li/LiMn₂O₄ cells. ZrO₂-coated LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ electrodes provide a superior capacity and cycling stability to uncoated electrodes when charged to a high potential (4.6 V vs Li⁰). The use of Li₂ZrO₃, which is structurally more compatible with spinel and layered electrodes than ZrO₂ and which can act as a Li⁺-ion conductor, has been evaluated in composite 0.03Li₂ZrO₃ · 0.97LiMn_0.5Ni_0.5O₂ electrodes; glassy Li_xZrO_2 + x/2 (0<x⩽2) products can be produced from colloidal ZrO₂ for surface coatings.     

MnO x /ZrO2 gel-derived materials for hydrogen peroxide decomposition

Manganese-yttrium-zirconium mixed oxide nanocomposites with three different Mn loadings (5, 15 and 30 wt%) were prepared by sol–gel synthesis. Amorphous xerogels were obtained for each composition. Their structural evolution with the temperature and textural properties were examined by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption isotherms. Mesoporous materials with high surface area values (70–100 m² g⁻¹) were obtained by annealing in air at 550 °C. They are amorphous or contain nanocrystals of the tetragonal ZrO₂ phase (T-ZrO₂) depending on the Mn amount and exhibit Mn species with oxidation state higher than 2 as confirmed by temperature programmed reduction experiments. T-ZrO₂ is the only crystallizing phase at 700 °C while the monoclinic polymorph and Mn₃O₄ start to appear only after a prolonged annealing at 1,000 °C. The samples annealed at 550 °C were studied as catalysts for H₂O₂ decomposition in liquid phase. Their catalytic activity was higher than that of previously studied Mn/Zr oxide systems prepared by impregnation. Catalytic data were described by a rate equation of Langmuir type. The decrease of catalytic activity with time was related to dissolution of a limited fraction (up to 15%) of Mn into the H₂O₂/H₂O solution.     

A study of Co/Mo/Al2O3 hydrodesulphurization catalysts and related model compounds byxps and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs )

A detailed investigation of sulphided Co/Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, their oxide precursors and several model oxides and sulphides of cobalt and molybdenum has been carried out using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs). Octahedrally coordinated Co(II) and Mo(IV) are shown to be present in a sulphidic environment on the surfaces of these catalysts. The surface species contain an excess of sulphur, probably involving disulphide linkages. The surface compositions of the catalysts examined conform to the general formula Co¹¹ Mo _2n ^IV (2n + 3)S ₂ ²⁻ (2n -2)S²⁻.     

Catalytically Promoted NO x Sorption by ZrO2-Based Oxides

Metal promoted zirconia-based oxide sorbents, such as Pt–ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ for NO _x have been investigated. To clarify the role of the catalyst component, sorption of NO and NO₂ was compared using the samples with and without Pt. The catalytic oxidation of NO to NO₂ and successively to nitrate ions is an important role for the Pt catalyst. The experimental results indicate that a high-temperature calcination is essential to remove residual Cl from Pt–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ prepared from H₂PtCl₆ in order to provide more active NO _x sorption sites. Of M–ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ samples investigated, ruthenium as well as Pt demonstrated relatively good performance as a catalyst component in the sorbent. The FT-IR spectra after sorption of NO and NO₂ demonstrated a strong band attributed to stored nitrate ions. The Pt catalyst was more resistant to sulfur poisoning than a base metal catalyst. However, the NO _x sorptive capacities of the Pt–ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ sorbents were expected to be deteriorated in dilute SO₂ as far as observed from FT-IR spectra.     

Interpretation of the difference of optimal Mo density in MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> HDS catalysts

The first part of this paper deals with the morphology of the MoS₂ phase and its oxide precursor, the MoO₃ phase, mainly from a geometrical point of view. After giving a brief review of the literature describing the structure of these compounds, Mo densities in both phases were calculated along various crystallographic planes. Further, using structural models recently proposed by others, Mo densities in MoS₂ were also calculated in the case of an epitactic growth on γ-Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ model surfaces. Then, the calculated Mo densities were compared with experimental results (Mo density when HDS activity is maximal) previously obtained for catalysts constituted of MoS₂ supported on a low SSA TiO₂, a high SSA TiO₂ and a conventional γ-alumina. It was suggested that either on alumina or titania the MoS₂ phase is growing as (100) MoS₂ planes. However, while on the alumina the optimal MoS₂ phase might be constituted of dispersed MoS₂ slabs covering only a part of the alumina surface (2.9–3.9 Mo atoms/nm²), on titania the optimal MoS₂ phase might be constituted of a uniform MoS₂ monolayer (5.2 atoms/nm² for the high SSA titania, which is equal to the Mo density of a perfect MoS₂ (100) plane). This difference may originate in the creation of a 'TiMoS' phase enhancing the S atoms mobility over Mo/TiO₂-sulfided catalysts. Indeed, while in the case of a γ-alumina carrier the active sites (labile S atoms) are located on the edge of MoS₂ slabs making the ratio Mo_edge/Mo_total a crucial parameter for the catalytic performances, in the case of a titania carrier the labile sulfur atoms might be statistically distributed all over the TiMoS active phase. Further, the higher Mo density observed over the high SSA titania (5.2 atoms/nm²) when compared to that over the low SSA titania (4.2 atoms/nm²) was supposedly due to the pH-swing method advantageously used to prepare the former carrier. Indeed, this method allows giving a solid with enhanced mechanical properties providing a good stability to the derived catalysts under experimental conditions. In addition, this TiO₂ carrier exhibits a great homogeneity, with a surface structure substantially uniform, which might be adequate for a long-range growth of (100) MoS₂ slabs.