Flower-like Co–Mo–S catalyst was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal synthesis.
Co–Mo–S exhibited a high activity and aromatics selectivity in p-cresol HDO and benzothiophene HDS.
The synergy between CoS2 and MoS2 and flower-like morphology resulted in the high HDO activity.
Adding appropriate benzothiophene into the HDO of p-cresol on Co–Mo–S maximized the deoxygenation degree.
Adding p-cresol decreased the desulfidation activity in benzothiophene HDS because of the competitive adsorption.