Boosting ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization of diesel by tuning sulfidation degree of metals on NiMo/AlOOH catalyst

•A room-temperature process was developed to prepare catalyst for hydrodesulfurization reaction.•S content of diesel was reduced from 18000 μg g−1 to 3 μg g−1.•The catalyst showed an excellent long-term stability.•Excellent performance of the catalyst was originated from the appropriate sulfidation degree of Mo.