Heteropolyacid supported MOF fibers for oxidative desulfurization of fuel

Three methods are tried to synthesize a novel type of inorganic-organic hybrid catalyst ([email protected]@CA) for oxidative desulfurization by the composition of phosphomolybdenum tungsten heteropolyacid (H3PMo6W6O40·nH2O abbreviated as HPA), MOF-199 and cellulose acetate (CA). The structure features of the catalyst are characterized through XRD, IR, XPS, N2 adsorption-desorption and SEM analysis. The impregnation method was proved to be the best synthesis methods and considered to be a possibility for catalyst forming in industrial application. The best loading of heteropolyacid and optimal conditions for desulfurization were also investigated in this paper while the removal efficiency reached 99.23% with O2 as oxidant at 313 K after 3 h. After the reaction, the catalyst can be simply recovered and reused 10 times with negligible decrease in the desulfurization rate. It is believed that the [email protected]@CA, as a novel catalyst, has a high catalytic activity for thiophen and has the potential to be used in industry.