Sulfided catalysts based on apatite modified by adding zirconium ions: Characterization and catalytical behaviour

Supports based on apatite and apatite weakly enriched with zirconium phosphate were synthesized. On these supports, NiMo sulfides were transplanted. The NiMo/Apatites catalysts convert selectively the dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) to methanthiol contrary to their counterpart NiMo/Al 2 O 3 . Adding low amounts of zirconium ions improves the catalytical activity. The activity improvement is due to the increase of surface area, as well as to the good dispersion of the NiMo sulfide phase.