The
modified CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts
with different Ce and/or P loading were prepared by the incipient
wetness impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized using
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, N2-adsorption–desorption,
pyridine Fourier transform infrared, H2 temperature-programmed
reduction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of Ce and/or P on the active
phase, acidic properties, and catalytic activity of the CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were investigated in detail. The results
showed that the phosphorus additive can slightly increase the stacking
number of MoS2 slabs by reducing the metal–support
interaction. Also, the addition of a small amount of cerium (1.75
wt %) not only increased the average slab length and stacking layer
number of MoS2 slabs, but also formed new Brønsted
acid sites on the support, which efficiently enhance the thiophene
hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and olefins isomerization activity of the
catalyst. These favorable effects are more obvious in cases where
cerium and phosphorus coexist. The CoMo/γ-Al2O3P(2)Ce(1.75) catalyst exhibited the highest thiophene HDS
and olefin isomerization conversion values of 98.58 and 19.51%, respectively.
The high isomerization activity is able to inhibit the loss of gasoline
octane number. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that
the synergistic effect between Ce and P can achieve deep desulfurization
and minimize the loss of octane number by modulating the acidity of
the support and optimizing the active phase of the sulfided catalysts.