Biotemplated synthesis of highly divided MoS2 catalysts

Abstract

Cellulose fibres can be topotactically transformed to highly divided molybdenum sulfide by means of reflux in ethylene glycol in the presence of ammonium heptamolybdate and elemental sulfur. The product partially replicates the morphology features of the initial organic fibres and possesses high specific surface area and developed mesoporosity. As established by characterizations including EXAFS and TEM, during the solvothermal reaction, molybdenum sulfide with composition close to MoS3 is formed simultaneously with the reductive degradation of cellulose. Further heating in hydrogen yields carbon-stabilised MoS2 dispersions. Promotion with cobalt leads to a highly active unsupported hydrodesulfurization catalyst.