Bulk and Al2O3-supported Ni2P HDS catalysts prepared by separating the nickel and hypophosphite sources

Bulk Ni 2 P and Al 2 O 3 -supported Ni 2 P were prepared at low phosphidation temperature (300   °C) from Ni 9 S 8 and NH 4 H 2 PO 2 , which were separated to avoid the formation of phosphate inside the support pores. The unsupported product phases were characterized by XRD and the Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalysts by XRD, BET and TEM. A 10   wt.% Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalyst, made by the Ni(NO 3 ) 2 –NiO–Ni 9 S 8 –Ni 2 P path at a P/Ni ratio of 3, showed the highest activity in the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene. By separating the nickel and hypophosphite sources, Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalysts could be obtained at low phosphidation temperature and with low degree of blockage of pores by surplus phosphorus.