Catalytic activity of synthesized nanosized molybdenum disulfide for the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene: Effect of H₂S partial pressure

Nanosized MoS₂ catalysts with basal planes of ∼4 nm were synthesized by thermally annealing ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. The structure and morphology of the obtained phases were determined by XRD, SEM and TEM. These nanosized MoS₂ clusters have a truncated hexagonal shape. The MoS₂ layers in these batches were found to be curved to some extent. Catalytic performance was evaluated by the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene. We studied the effect of a wide range of H₂S partial pressures on the hydrodesulfurization activity and selectivity. Catalytic activity for the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene increased remarkably when H₂S was included within the reaction zone. The role of the curved MoS₂ layers on activity is discussed.