Direct photo-curing 3D printed bionic multistage Mo-doped tungsten oxide catalysts for static and dynamic oxidative desulfurization of fuels

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2025-02, Vol.354, p.128399, Article 128399
• Main Authors: Wu, Yingcheng, He, Jing, Zhong, Kang, Wang, Sibo, Zhu, Xianglin, She, Xiaojie, Jiang, Wei, Li, Huaming, Xu, Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bionic multistage catalyst; Direct photo-curing 3D printing; Fixed bed reaction; Fractal structure; Oxidative desulfurization
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128399

[Display omitted] •Numerous mesopores on the surface of direct photo-curing 3D printed monolithic catalysts are constructed.•The 3D printed monolithic catalyst is firstly applied in the fixed-bed oxidative desulfurization reaction.•Advantages of bionic acicular structures in path and pressure of oil flow are demonstrated by CFD simulations. 3D printed monolithic catalysts have attracted increasing attention in the petrochemical industry due to their advantages of the freedom of configuration, the rapidity of fabrication and the control of the fluid properties of the reaction medium. However, this remains challenging in constructing of micromorphology, reliable manufacturing, and adaptive functionality. Herein, inspired by the function of acicular plant fractal structure, we have developed bionic multistage monolithic catalysts based on direct photo-curing 3D printing technology. We also design two configuration strategies for static and dynamic oxidative desulfurization of fuels. Below the catalyst surface, the porous structure prepared by the hard template method can increase the specific surface area of the catalyst to disperse the active center and adsorb organic sulfur to strengthen the oxidation effect. The 3D-MoWO/PC-CE monolithic catalyst shows excellent activity in the static reaction with 100% sulfur removal. Above the catalyst surface, microcrystalline cellulose is introduced in-situ in 3D printed ink to build needle-like structures to enhance mass transfer efficiency and reduce surface pressure in dynamic fixed bed reaction. This work provides valuable ideas for the fabrication of efficient monolithic catalysts in various reactions.