Size Control of MoS_x Catalysts by Diffusion Limitation for Electrocatalytic Hydrodesulfurization

Abstract

Electrochemical hydrodesulfurization technology is a promising approach to remove sulfur compounds from fossil fuels, having the advantages of moderate operating condition, low energy consumption, and high automation. This method is still in the research and development stage, and the desulfurization efficiency needs to be improved. Here, we report an attempt to improve the desulfurization efficiency by increasing the active sites of catalysts. The amorphous MoS x are chosen as the catalysts and synthesized by the electrodeposition method at diffusionlimited conditions, which is regulated by either increasing the deposition potential or by adding glycerol into the electrolyte. With the decrease of chemical diffusion, the morphology of MoS x catalysts changes from continuous lamellae to dispersed nanoparticles on the surface of carbon cloth. Owing to the extensive exposure of the bridging sulfur groups S 2 2− and undercoordinated Mo(V) regions, the MoS x particles exhibit a more than two times increase of the desulfurization efficiency, reaching 22.5% in the electrochemical hydrodesulfurization. This study shows that structure optimization of catalysts by diffusion control is a facile and general strategy to improve reaction efficiency, which may be applied to various catalysts.

A Comprehensive Review of MoSx for Improved Photo(electro)catalytic Performance

“…[135][136][137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145] In addition, there are phase structure, crystallinity, size, and defects that have some influence on its catalytic performance. [146][147][148][149][150][151] In summary, regarding the improvement of MoS x , the types of heterojunctions (S-type heterojunctions, etc.) can be enlarged; the doping elements can be diversified; a variety of modification strategies can be coupled, such as the coupling of heterojunctions and elemental doping, the coupling of heterojunctions and crystallinity, etc.…”

Mechanistic Insights into the Efficiency of Formaldehyde-Based Compounds and Glyoxal as H2S Scavengers

“…Sulfur compounds represent one of the major problems to the oil and gas industry, being regarded as impurities that imparts undesirable characteristics to both the matrix and final products . Among these compounds, hydrogen sulfide, H 2 S, poses a significant challenge to the industry due to its notorious toxicity, corrosiveness, and ability to contaminate catalysts. − Most of the hydrogen sulfide present in oil and gas comes from anthropogenic actions during the refinement process, such as the hydrodesulfurization (HDS), employed to convert sulfur compounds into hydrocarbon, releasing H 2 S. − …”