Hydrodesulfurization activity of MoP/SiO_2 catalyst prepared by sol-gel method

A series of silica supported MoP(MoP/SiO2)catalysts with different Mo loadings were prepared by sol-gel method,followed by temperature programmed reduction treatment.The hydrodesulfurization(HDS)activity of the MoP/SiO2 catalysts was evaluated with thiophene and dibenzothiophene as model compounds.The influences of Mo loading,reaction pressure and temperature on the HDS activity were investigated.The catalysts MoP/SiO2 exhibit high activity for the HDS of thiophene and dibenzothiophene;the highest activity is observed over MoP/SiO2 with a Mo loading of 20%.An elevation of the reaction pressure or temperature can enhance the HDS of dibenzothiophene;however,it may also decrease the content of biphenyl in the products.