Relationship between the structure and catalytic performance of MoS(2) with different surfactant-assisted syntheses in the hydrodesulfurization reaction of 4,6-DMDBT

Surfactants are important factors in the hydrothermal synthesis of MoS(2) with different morphologies. Herein, we report the synthesis of MoS(2)via the hydrothermal method combined with a single-source precursor with the assistance of different surfactants (CTAB/SDS/SDBS). The synthesis mechanisms of MoS(2) with different morphologies and their effects on 4,6-DMDBT in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) have been systematically studied. MoS(2)-CTAB was prepared by the adsorption of molybdate radicals, nucleation and formation. MoS(2)-SDS and MoS(2)-SDBS were synthesized via four steps, namely, adsorption, insertion, exfoliation and assembly, and the relationship between the morphology-structure-performance of MoS(2) in the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT was investigated. It was established that the desulfurization rate of MoS(2), HYD ratio and selectivity of the MoS(2) increased in the order: MoS(2)-SDBS > MoS(2)-CTAB > MoS(2)-SDS, which exhibited a positive correlation with the average number of layers and dispersion, and a negative correlation with the average slab length and the ratio of the Mo edge/corner sites of MoS(2). Among all the MoS(2), MoS(2)-SDBS exhibited the best HDS performance.