Noble metal silicides catalysts with high stability for hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophenes

Development of highly efficient and long stable hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts still is a great challenge for the refining industry. In this work, a series of intermetallic noble metal silicides supported by carbon nanotubes catalysts (Pt2Si/CNTs, RhxSi/CNTs, and RuSi/CNTs) have been developed by chemical vapor deposition successfully, using dichlorodimethylsilane as Si source. These materials were used as efficient catalysts for the deep HDS of dibenzothiophenes (4,6-DMDBT and DBT) and performed high selectivity to the direct desulfurization pathway. The sequence of HDS activity over noble metal silicides catalysts is in keeping with the sequence of HDS activity of the corresponding metal catalysts, which is Pt2Si/CNTs > RhxSi/CNTs >> RuSi/CNTs. In addition, the Pt2Si/CNTs performed an excellent stability in 100 h stability testing for HDS of 4,6-DMDBT. Therefore, this sulfur-tolerant noble metal silicides could be as promising catalysts for the ultra-deep HDS of fossil-fuel.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared a series of intermetallic noble metal silicides supported by carbon nanotubes catalysts using chemical vapor deposition, which showed high efficiency and long-term stability in sulfur removal, especially with excellent stability for 4,6-DMDBT. These sulfur-tolerant noble metal silicides have the potential to be promising catalysts for the ultra-deep HDS of fossil fuel.