Electrospinning synthesis of H3PW12O40/TiO2 nanofiber catalytic materials and their application in ultra-deep desulfurization

H3PW12O40/TiO2 (abbreviated PW12/TiO2) nanofibers catalysts have been successfully prepared via calcinating off the respective electrospun PVP/[PW12+Ti(OC4H9)(4)] composite nanofibers for the first time and they show ultra-deep desulfurization catalytic performance in mild conditions. PW12/TiO2 nanofibers consist of anatase phase TiO2 and Keggin structure PW12, the diameter of which is approximately 100 nm. Compared with PW12/TiO2 nanoparticles, 40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanofibers (the weight percentage of PW12 loading on TiO2 nanofibers was 40%) exhibited the higher catalytic activity under the same conditions. DBT could be removed completely within 30 min at 70 degrees C using 0.02 g 40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanofibers as catalysts, when ionic liquid (IL) [Bmim]PF6 was as extraction agent. Additionally, sulfur removal of different substrates decreased in the following orders: DBT > BT >4,6-DMDBT under the same conditions. Even after 5-times recycling, the catalytic activity of 40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanofibers was not significant decreased. As a total result, these novel PW12/TiO2 nanofibers can be used to deeply desulfurize in the industry. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.