Heteropolyacid Supported on Nitrogen-doped Onion-Like Carbon as Catalyst for Oxidative Desulfurization

Linking the Defective Structure of Boron-Doped Carbon Nano-Onions with Their Catalytic Properties: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Defects are widely present in nanomaterials, and they are recognized as the active sites that tune surface properties in the local region for catalysis. Recently, the theory linking defect structures and catalytic properties of nanocatalysts has been most commonly described. In this study, we prepared boron-doped carbon nano-onions (B-CNOs) by applying an annealing treatment of ultradispersed nanodiamond particles and amorphous boron. These experimental conditions guarantee doping of CNOs with boron atoms in the entire carbon nanostructure, thereby ensuring structural homogeneity. In our research, we discuss the correlations between defective structures of B-CNOs with their catalytic properties toward SO₂ and tert-butanol dehydration. We show that there is a close relationship between the catalytic properties of the B-CNOs and the experimental conditions for their formation. It is not only the mass of the substrates used for the formation of B-CNOs that is crucial, that is, the mass ratio of NDs to amorphous B, but also the process, including temperature and gas atmosphere. As it was expected, all B-CNOs demonstrated significant catalytic activity in HSO₃^- oxidation. However, the subsequent annealing in an air atmosphere diminished their catalytic activity. Unfortunately, no direct relationship between the catalytic activity and the presence of heteroatoms on the B-CNO surface was observed. There was a linear dependence between catalytic activity and Raman reactivity factors for each of the B-CNO materials. In contrast to SO₂ oxidation, the B-CNO-a samples showed higher catalytic activity in tert-butanol dehydration due to the presence of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. The occurence of three types of boron-Lewis sites differing in electron donor properties was confirmed using quantitative infrared spectroscopic measurements of pyridine adsorption.

Carbon-Based Materials for Oxidative Desulfurization and Denitrogenation of Fuels: A Review

Sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) are elements naturally found in petroleum-based fuels. S- and N-based compounds in liquid fuels are associated with a series of health and environmental issues. Thus, legislation has become stricter worldwide regarding their content and related emissions. Traditional treatment systems (namely hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation) fail to achieve the desired levels of S and N contents in fuels without compromising combustion parameters. Thus, oxidative treatments (oxidative desulfurization–ODS, and oxidative denitrogenation-ODN) are emerging as alternatives to producing ultra-low-sulfur and nitrogen fuels. This paper presents a thorough review of ODS and ODN processes applying carbon-based materials, either in hybrid forms or as catalysts on their own. Focus is brought to the role of the carbonaceous structure in oxidative treatments. Furthermore, a special section related to the use of amphiphilic carbon-based catalysts, which have some advantages related to a closer interaction with the oily and aqueous phases, is discussed.

Oxidative Desulfurization Catalyzed by Phosphotungstic Acid Supported on Hierarchical Porous Carbons

A hierarchical porous carbon material (HPC) with an ultra-high specific surface area was synthesized with sisal fiber (SF) as a precursor, and then H3PW12O40·24H2O (HPW) was immobilized on the support of SF-HPC by a simple impregnation method. A series characterization technology approved that the obtained SF-HPC had a high surface area of 3152.46 m2g-1 with micropores and macropores. HPW was well-dispersed on the surface of the SF-HPC support, which reduced the loading of HPW to as low as 5%. HPW/SF-HPW showed excellent catalytic performance for oxidative desulfurization, and the desulfurization rate reached almost 100% under the optimal reaction conditions. The desulfurization rate of HPW/SF-HPW could be maintained at above 94% after four recycles.

Application of Fumed Silica as a Support during Oxidative Desulfurization

Here, a hydrophilic fumed silica (F-SiO₂) was used as a support, and we place phosphotungstic acid (HPW) onto the F-SiO₂ via a simple impregnation method normally used to prepare a HPW/F-SiO₂ catalyst, which is used in oxidative desulfurization processes. A number of characterization analyses were used, such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and Transmission electron microscopy, to prove that the HPW catalyst was homogeneously distributed on the F-SiO₂. The structural parameters of the catalyst and the support were tested with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and it was confirmed that the catalyst is a mesoporous material. Energy-dispersive spectrometry was used to characterize the distribution of the active component distribution. Catalytic performance was investigated using the catalytic oxidative desulfurization process. During optimal conditions, the removal effect of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in simulated oil can reach 100%. After 13 cycles, catalytic activity is still high, and the DBT conversion can still attain 95.362%.

Heteropoly acid supported on sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate modified layered double hydroxides as catalysts for oxidative desulfurization

The HPW/MgAl-LDH-DBS catalyst was synthesized, and the removal of DBT was almost 100% under the optimal conditions.