Highly efficient mesoporous WO (x) /KIT-6 catalysts for oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene with hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of organic compounds containing sulfur element from a model oil was performed using tungsten oxide catalysts supported on mesoporous silica with cubic Ia3d mesostructure, well-defined mesopores (7.2 nm), high surface area (719 m(2)/g), and three-dimensional pore network (WO (x) /KIT-6). The prepared WO (x) /KIT-6 catalysts (5-20 wt% WO (x) ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, N-2 sorption measurements, electron microscopy, H-2-temperature programmed reduction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Among the mesoporous catalysts, 10 wt% WO (x) /KIT-6 exhibited the best catalytic performance. Sulfur-containing organic compounds, such as dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene, were completely (100 %) removed from the model oil over 10 wt% WO (x) /KIT-6 catalyst in 2 h. In addition, the catalyst could be reused several times with only slight decrease in catalytic activity.