Mechanochemical synthesis of nanocrystalline nickel-molybdenum compounds and their morphology and application in catalysis: III. Catalytic properties of massive Ni-Mo sulfide catalysts synthesized using mechanochemical activation

The precursors of massive Ni-Mo catalysts for hydrotreating processes, which were synthesized by the mechanochemical activation of a mixture of nickel hydroxocarbonate NiCO₃·2Ni(OH)₂·nH₂O and ammonium paramolybdate (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ · 4H₂O, were sulfidized. Their structure was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis and high-resolution electron microscopy. It was found that MoS₂ packets, which are characterized by the presence of structural defects and geometric curvature, are the constituents of the massive catalysts. The catalyst also includes a phase of Ni₃S₂ and regions containing a complex Ni-Mo-S phase. The catalytic tests of the synthesized catalysts in the model reactions of 1-methylnaphthalene and dibenzothiophene conversions showed that the catalyst whose precursor was a heteropoly compound with the Anderson structure after the stage of mechanochemical activation exhibited the highest activity.