Deep oxidative desulfurization of model oil catalyzed by magnetic MoO3/Fe3O4

Abstract

A magnetic MoO₃/Fe₃O₄ catalyst was prepared and used in the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene, and thiophene. The morphology and components of the magnetic composite material were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Results indicated that MoO₃ as an active species was supported on Fe₃O₄. High calcination temperature leads to the formation of Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ compounds which showed lower activity than MoO₃. The highest conversion of 99.5% for ODS of DBT can be achieved on MoO₃/Fe₃O₄ calcinated at 400 °C. In addition, the amount of MoO₃/Fe₃O₄, TBHP/DBT molar ratio and reaction temperature played vital roles in desulfurization efficiency. This work showed the possibility for the utilization of low cost magnetic MoO₃/Fe₃O₄ composite in the oxidative desulfurization because it shows high activity and could be easily separated by applying an external magnetic field, achieving ten times recycling without significant decrease in activity.