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

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 Fe-2(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 degrees 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.