Monitoring hydrotreating catalysts synthesis and deactivation using Raman spectrometry

Raman spectrometry has become a popular characterization technique for hydrotreatment catalysts: it provides important information on chemical structures along all the synthesis cycle, from the impregnation solution to the sulfided catalyst. Aspects of physico-chemical processes taking place on the catalyst surface can be monitored using this technique. This article describes some examples where Raman spectrometry has been used to evaluate the impact of experimental parameters (choice of metallic precursors, presence of impurity, influence of calcination temperature, coke deposit) on the catalyst structure.