Size-matched polyoxometalate encapsulated in UiO-66(Zr): an extraordinary catalyst with double active sites for the highly efficient ultra-deep oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil

• Published in: New journal of chemistry 2021-10, Vol.45 (41), p.19432-19438
• Main Authors: He, Fangyuan, Zhang, Heyi, Li, Xiaonan, Yang, Jie, Ma, Wenqing, Zhang, Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzothiophene; Cages; Catalysts; Catalytic oxidation; Desulfurizing; Dibenzothiophene; Encapsulation; Fuel oils; Hydrogen peroxide; Leaching; Oxidation; Oxidizing agents; Polyoxometallates; Reaction mechanisms; Sulfur compounds; Zirconium
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03283f

In this study, for the first time, we selected a size-matched polyoxometalate α-Mo 8 O 26 , and successfully prepared Mo 8 -UiO-66(Zr) as a catalyst with double active sites for extractive and catalytic oxidative desulfurization systems (ECODS). UiO-66(Zr) can encapsulate Mo 8 O 26 in the cage and avoid its leaching, while the sulfur compounds can also enter the cage to approach the sites. As a result, in the presence of H 2 O 2 as an oxidant, the catalyst exhibited extraordinary oxidative desulfurization performance towards benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT), and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT). It only takes 10 min for the desulfurization efficiency to reach 100%. The catalyst can be reused for at least 4 times without significant loss in the desulfurization activity. Also, the possible reaction mechanisms of the catalytic oxidation process have also been proposed. In this study, for the first time, we selected a size-matched polyoxometalate α-Mo 8 O 26 , and successfully prepared Mo 8 -UiO-66(Zr) as a catalyst with double active sites for extractive and catalytic oxidative desulfurization systems (ECODS).