Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of unsupported porous NiS2 sub-micrometer spheres as a potential hydrodesulfurization catalyst

Abstract Nanostructured NiS 2 has attracted interest due to its wide applications and special properties. Synthesis of a pure phase NiS 2 in a single step has been a challenge. In this work, a new method for direct synthesis of uniform NiS 2 /SiO 2 sub microspheres has been developed by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Colloidal silica was used as a sacrificial template to create the porous structure. After silica removal, hollow, porous NiS 2 nano spheres were obtained. The product was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. XRD confirmed the formation of single phase pyrite NiS 2 . It was found that the porous spherical NiS 2 has a surface area of ca. 300 m 2  g −1 . The HDS catalytic activity of NiS 2 was evaluated using a model compound, dibenzothiophene (DBT). It showed a first order reaction rate constant of 1.51 × 10 −4  s −1  g cata −1 at 320 °C for HDS of DBT, which is significantly promising for further exploration.