Supported Ni2P catalysts derived from nickel phyllosilicate with enhanced hydrodesulfurization performance

•Highly dispersed Ni2P catalyst was prepared from nickel phyllosilicate precursor.•Nickel phyllosilicate facilitated the formation of nanosized Ni2P particles.•(201) plane of Ni2P gave more coordinately-unsaturated active sites.•Ni2P/SiO2-DP exhibited high performance in hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT.•Highly dispersed Ni2P catalysts were obtained on MCM-41, S-1, and TS-1.