Preparation of Fe promoted MoS2 catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of p-cresol as a model compound of lignin-derived bio-oil

Abstract Fe promoted MoS 2 catalysts were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method and then applied into the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of p -cresol as a model compound of lignin-derived bio-oil. The as-prepared samples had FeS 2 and MoS 2 phases with low crystallinity. After further hydrogen-treatment at 250 °C in dodecane, some peaks to FeS phase were observed. The surface area of Fe promoted MoS 2 catalyst decreased firstly and then increased with Fe content in the catalysts increasing. In the HDO of p -cresol, the addition of Fe sulfides into MoS 2 enhanced conversion and toluene selectivity. When the Fe/Mo molar ratio is 0.7:1, the conversion and deoxygenation degree reached up to 96.3% and 95.7% after reaction at 250 °C for 3 h, respectively. The high HDO activity was attributed to the synergistic effect and contact surface area between Fe sulfides and MoS 2 . During the HDO recycling reaction, the deactivation was observed, which resulted from the sulfur loss and the formation of Fe oxides, but its activity could be regenerated after a simple sulfuration procedure.