Heterostructure MoO3/g-C3N4 efficient enhances oxidative desulfurization: Rational designing for the simultaneously formation of MoO3 nanoparticle and few layers g-C3N4

The well dispersion of active sites and electronic transfer capability frequently determines the catalytic performance, and the rational design of these elements still remains a huge challenge. Herein, MoO3 nanoparticle is obtained by molybdenum based ionic liquid precursor to attain well dispersion, and then load on the few layers g-C3N4 carrier to achieve MoO3/g-C3N4 heterojunction. By controlling the calcination temperature, the layer of g-C3N4 is reduced while obtaining MoO3 nanoparticles under 400 ℃, effectively promoting electron transfer. Characterization results indicate that the successful composite between MoO3 and g-C3N4 and the prepared catalyst shows outstanding desulfurization performance for dibenzothiophene (DBT), achieving 100 % sulfur removal rate within 100 min. The MoO3/g-C3N4 also displays outstanding sulfur removal for 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) (100 %) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) (100 %) due to the significant mesoporous structure. Furthermore, •O2− is confirmed as the main free radical in the oxidative desulfurization system and the possible oxidative desulfurization mechanism is proposed.