Effect of mixing of carbon support from sawdust and sugarcane bagasse by hydrothermal carbonization for synthesis of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) catalyst

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) catalyst on carbon support from varying ratio of sawdust and sugarcane bagasse has been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization and calcination process. Hydrothermal carbonization of lignocellulosic structure into carbon support is investigated at 200^o C for 24 hr and calcination at 600^o C for 2 hr. The precursor of MoS2 catalyst is prepared using thiourea (CH4 N2 S) and ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate ((NH4 )6 Mo7 O24^. 4H2 O) loaded on carbon support. The lignocellulosic structure as hemicellulose and cellulose is changed at high temperature via hydrothermal carbonization and calcination. The distribution of molybdenum disulfide on carbon support is varied based on morphology and functional group of carbon support. The morphology and functional group were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). It shows that carbon support at equal ratio (1:1) of sawdust and sugarcane bagasse is an optimum ratio with high distribution of molybdenum disulfide catalyst on carbon support.