Mesoporous MoS2 incorporated zirconia nanocomposites: Simple synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic desulfurization of thiophene under visible light

The petroleum sector has focused its efforts on developing low-sulfur fuels because of rigorous regulatory requirements enforced by various countries. In this context, mesoporous MoS2/ZrO2 nanostructures were simply manufactured and subsequently adopted under visible light for photocatalytic desulfurization of thiophene (PDT). Actually, PDT was extensively upgraded upon the application of MoS2/ZrO2 nanostructures especially when the results compared to pure ZrO2. The pseudo-first-order model was the best model that was found to properly fit such a reaction. Amongst all manufactured specimens, the photocatalytic efficiency of the 1.5 wt% MoS2/ZrO2 nanostructured material was the maximum. The reaction rate of PDT upon utilizing optimized material was 0.01577 min-1 whiles that upon the application of pure ZrO2 was 0.000513 min-1. And so, PDT rate was 30.5 times greater over 1.5 wt% MoS2/ZrO2 nanostructured material than over pure ZrO2. The photocatalytic oxidation of thiophene over the manufactured materials yielded SO3 and CO2. The distinct photocatalytic effectiveness of MoS2/ZrO2 might be associated with the competent absorption of visible light, fast movement of thiophene molecules to active centres, expanded hydroxyl radical content and diminished light scattering. The recyclability test acknowledged that MoS2/ZrO2 nanostructured material was remarkably stable against PDT under visible light. The mechanism of the PDT reaction utilizing the photo-created charges was discussed.