Preparation and characterization of molybdenum disulphide catalysts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF00361173

Molybdenum disulphide has been prepared by atmospheric-pressure hydrogen reduction of molybdenum trisulphide in the temperature range 400-750°C for 4 h and characterized. Chemical analysis of the product confirmed the S to Mo ratio 2.00 as desired for MoS₂, consistent with its thermogravimetric analysis data in an air atmosphere. MoS₂ prepared under these reducing conditions possessed a hexagonal structure with n-type diamagnetic semiconducting behavior and a lower surface area. The catalytic activity of the MoS₂ was studied for liquid-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. X-ray studies on MoS3 when reduced at 750°C for 48 h indicated that MoS₂ so formed is unstable, resulting in the formation of its over-reduced products Mo₂S₃ and Mo.