Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Al-, Ti- and Zr-pilared clays were characterized and NiMo/Pilc's were tested in HDS reactions. The combination of activity measurements with Mossbauer Spectroscopy and x-ray microanalysis at microscopical scale give insight in the metal phases migration during pillaring, reaction and regeneration steps. α-Fe phase in free Fe2O3 islands predominate together with structural Fe3+ phase, but during the catalytic reaction Fe2+ forms. Delamination of the Ti- and Zr-Clay supports, together with high Lewis acidity might enhance their catalytic properties.