Production of an environmental friendly ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under the effect of visible light irradiation using new nanocomposite based on BiFeO3/ BiOCl

The excessive use of fossil fuels raises SOX emissions, resulting in numerous negative consequences for the environment. Several technologies have been currently in use for the removal of sulfur compounds from diesel fuel feedstock. Among those, photocatalysis can be counted as one of the most promising routes for producing green diesel fuels. Nevertheless, introducing new structures for use as efficient photocatalysts is usually demanded. Thus, this research article presents BiFeO3/BiOCl nanocomposite as a novel photocatalyst with an improved electron-hole separation property for desulfurization under visible light. The structural characteristics of the prepared composite were verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energetic dispersive X-ray (EDX). Surface properties of the synthesized nanocomposite were determined by BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm. The illustrated composite's surface and bulk morphologies were also gained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. UV-vis diffuse reflectance and photoluminance (PL) were used to describe the optical features of a Bi-based photocatalyst. The prepared photocatalyst could show encouraging results in achieving a sulfur removal of 98.90% using a diesel feedstock has a sulfur content of 500 ppm. This desulfurization percentage was obtained through photo-oxidative route using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant followed by a solvent extraction step using acetonitrile.