Combined Heterogeneous Catalyst Based on Titanium Oxide for Highly Efficient Oxidative Desulfurization of Model Fuels

In this work, new heterogeneous Mo-containing catalysts based on sulfonic titanium dioxide were developed for the oxidation of sulfur-containing model feed. The synergistic effect of molybdenum and sulfonic group modifiers allows for enhancing catalytic activity in dibenzothiophene oxidative transformation, and a strong interaction between support and active component for thus obtained catalysts provides increased stability for leaching. For the selected optimal conditions, the Mo/TiO₂-SO₃H catalyst exhibited 100% DBT conversion for 10 min (1 wt % catalyst, molar ratio of H₂O₂:DBT, 2:1; 80 °C). Complete oxidation of DBT in the presence of the synthesized catalyst is achieved when using a stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent, which indicates its high selectivity. The enhanced stability for metal leaching was proved in recycling tests, where the catalyst was operated for seven oxidation cycles without regeneration with retainable activity in DBT-containing model feed oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under mild reaction conditions. In 30 min of the reaction (H₂O₂:S = 2:1 (mol), 0.5% catalyst, 5 mL of acetonitrile, 80 °C), it was possible to reduce the content of sulfur compounds in the diesel fraction by 88% (from 5600 to 600 ppm).