The catalytic activities of various noble metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ru) supported on siliceous SBA-15 and Al-containing SBA-15 (AlSBA-15) for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene at 350 C were investigated. AlSBA-15 was prepared by a grafting method using aluminum isopropoxide (Al(OC3H7)3) hexane solution. The HDS activity of Pt/AlSBA-15 catalyst was the highest among those of various supported noble metal catalysts, and this activity was higher than that of commercial CoMo/Al2O3 HDS catalyst. The catalysts were characterized by XRD analysis, hydrogen adsorption, 2-propanol dehydration, cumene cracking, and FT-IR. Dispersion of Pt on SBA-15 was remarkably enhanced by Al grafting. It was revealed that the acidity of AlSBA-15 was higher than that of SBA-15. Furthermore, Brønsted acid sites were observed on AlSBA-15. FT-IR spectra of thiophene adsorbed on AlSBA-15 indicate that thiophene molecules interact with Brønsted acid sites on the surface of AlSBA-15 and that the strength of this interaction was stronger than that of SBA-15. Based on these results, thiophene molecules activated on Brønsted acid site of AlSBA-15 and hydrogen molecules activate to form spillover hydrogen on Pt particles in Pt/AlSBA-15 catalyst in the HDS of thiophene
