Comparison of Structural Properties of SiO2, Al2O3, and C/Al2O3 Supported Ni2P catalysts

This paper describes the catalytic activity of nickel phosphide supported on silica, alumina, and carbon-coated alumina in the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene. The catalysts are made by the reduction of phosphate precursors. On the silica support the phosphate is reduced easily to form nickel phosphide with high catalytic activity, but on the alumina support interactions between the phosphate and the alumina hinder the reduction. The addition of a carbon overlayer on alumina decreases the interactions and leads to the formation of an active phosphide phase.