Al-pillared clays, prepared by exchange with partly hydrolyzed aluminium nitrate solutions, dried in air or freeze-dried, and calcined, were used as supports for nickel sulfide catalysts. The catalysts were tested on their hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity for thiophene. The catalysts show a high thiophene HDS activity. It appears that details in the preparation and calcination of the pillared clays have a strong influence on the catalytic activity
