Interaction between the active components and support in Co-MO-Al203 systems

Abstract

Structural changes in an alumina support in presence of molybdenum and cobalt oxides have been investigated using DTA, TG and X-Ray techniques. The kinetics of crystal growth and sintering in alumina are affected by these two oxides in different ways. Molybdenum oxide accelerates the phase transformations. When cobalt is also present, even though the phase transformations still do occur, the activation energy required is higher. In addition, the products are less crystalline and have smaller crystallite sizes. The relevance of these results to the role of cobalt in Co-MO-A12O3 hydrodesulfurization catalysts is also discussed.