Design of an intercalated Nano-MoS2 hydrophobic catalyst with high rim sites to improve the hydrogenation selectivity in hydrodesulfurization reaction

The preparation of the intercalated lamellar hydrophobic nano-MoS 2 (size: 60-100 nm, interlayer spacing: 0.7-1.2 nm) through the substitution of organic amine for inorganic ammonium salt and the subsequent catalytic reaction as a hydrodesulfurization catalyst is presented. The intercalated amine groups broadened the interspacing of the lamellar nano-MoS 2 and promoted the formation of hydrophobic stacking structure consisting of stable monolayers. The high hydrophobicity of the nano-MoS 2 monolayer catalyst was confirmed. The as-synthesized intercalated hydrophobic nano-MoS 2 catalyst with lower steric hindrance and higher number of rim sites showed better hydrodesulfurization performance and higher hydrogenation route selectivity than the traditional MoS 2 catalyst. The conversion of dibenzothiophene using the intercalated hydrophobic nano-MoS 2 catalyst was 86% in comparison to 23% for the traditional MoS 2 catalyst. The intercalated hydrophobic nano-MoS 2 catalyst was stable in five subsequent catalytic cycles.