Rhodium phosphide catalyst for hydrodesulfurization: Low temperature synthesis by sodium addition

Abstract Effect of sodium (Na) addition on rhodium phosphide (Rh 2 P) formation on MFI zeolite, SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity were examined. The TPR results revealed that Na addition enhanced reducibility of phosphates. The XRD results indicated that Rh 2 P phase was easily formed on NaMFI support as compared with on HMFI support. The maximum HDS activity of Rh–P/NaMFI catalyst was obtained at lower reduction temperature and this activity was higher than that of Rh–P/HMFI catalyst. We concluded that since Na would weaken interaction between Al and phosphate, high HDS activity of Rh–P/NaMFI catalyst was observed at lower reduction temperature.