Preparation of bimetallic CoO-MoO3/γ-Al2O3 and NiO-MoO3/γ-Al2O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts by deposition of Co, Ni and Mo onto α-AlOOH during paste processing

CoO-MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ and NiO-MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the reaction of α-boehmite (α-AlOOH) with MoO₃ in an aqueous paste, followed by the reaction of the MoO₃/α-AlOOH catalyst with Co(OH)₂·CoCO₃ or 2NiCO₃·3Ni(OH)₂·4H₂O in an aqueous paste, and by subsequent drying and/or calcination. The deposited MoO₃ functioned as a thermal stabilizer inhibiting the sintering of the Al₂O₃ phase during calcination. The deposited Co and Ni were efficient activity promoters in benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization.