Large-pore silica spheres as support for samarium-coordinated undecamolybdophosphate: oxidative desulfurization of diesels

Fátima Mirante, Ana Carolina Alves, Diana Julião, Pedro L. Almeida, Sandra Gago, Rita Valença, Jorge C. Ribeiro, Baltazar de Castro, Carlos M. Granadeiro, Salete S. Balula

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A novel composite has been prepared through the immobilization of the Keggin sandwich-type [Sm(PMo11O39)2]11− anion (SmPOM) on large-pore silica spheres previously functionalized with trimethylammonium groups (TMA). The resulting SmPOM@TMA-LPMS material has been evaluated as heterogeneous catalyst in a biphasic desulfurization 1:1 diesel/extraction solvent system using H2O2 as oxidant. Preliminary experiments were conducted with different extraction solvents, acetonitrile and [BMIM]PF6 ionic liquid. The optimized extractive and catalytic oxidative desulfurization system (ECODS) with [BMIM]PF6 was able to reach complete sulfur removal from a model diesel containing 2100 ppm S in just 60 min (10 min of initial extraction + 50 min of catalytic step). The reutilization of catalyst and extraction phase has been successfully performed without loss of desulfurization efficiency in consecutive cycles, turning the process more sustainable and cost-effective. The remarkable results with simulated diesel have motivated the application of the catalyst in the desulfurization of untreated real diesel and 74% of efficiency was achieved after only 2 h for three consecutive cycles.

Original languageEnglish
Article number116213
JournalFuel
Volume259
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Diesel
  • Heterogeneous catalysis
  • Oxidative desulfurization
  • Polyoxometalates

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