Synthesis and characterization of P-modified mesoporous CoMo/HMS–Ti catalysts

A hexagonal mesoporous siliceous material with a wormhole framework structure incorporating Ti (HMS-Ti; Si/Ti atomic ratio of 40) was modified with variable amounts of phosphorous and used as support for CoMo phases. The catalysts were prepared by successive impregnation, with Mo being introduced first. The supports and catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR study of the framework vibrations, DRIFT spectra in the OH region, ¹H NMR, FT-IR spectra of adsorbed NO, micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalysts were tested in the reaction of hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and their activity compared with that of a commercial P-containing CoMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. The physical and chemical characterization of the P-modified HMS–Ti substrates shows that the presence of P₂O₅ on the support surface does not change its mesoporous character, but modifies its surface properties. In addition, characterization data of the oxide catalysts show that phosphate favors the dispersion of the active phases and increases the population of octahedral Co²⁺ ions associated to Mo species. As a result, HDS activity was strongly enhanced upon P-loading, which reached a maximum of 0.64 wt%. This catalyst is 3.7 times more active than the commercial one and 2.4 times more active than its P-free counterpart. The highest activity of this catalyst was explained in terms of the specific electronic properties of its active phases and the largest Mo surface exposure on the support.