3D-printing of integrated spheres as a superior support of phosphotungstic acid for deep oxidative desulfurization of fuel

Construction of catalysts with integral structure for oxidative reaction process is an essential promotion to catalysts in industrial application. In this work, a 3D printing method was employed to prepare 3D printed spheres (3D-PSs), followed by carbonization to form 3D carbon spheres (3D-CSs). Then, a 3D-CSs supported phosphotungstic acid (HPW/3D-CSs) was prepared for deep oxidative desulfurization. Compared with traditional powder catalysts, the as-prepared catalyst is easy to be operated and separated from oil products. The supported catalyst possesses excellent catalytic performance and the removal of DBT, 4-MDBT and 4, 6-DMDBT in fuel oil, reaching similar to 100% of sulfur removal. The effects of various experimental parameters on desulfurization efficiency were considered to optimize reaction conditions. Moreover, the catalyst shows excellent thermal and chemical stability, with no obvious decrease in desulfurization activity after 5 cycles. GC-MS analysis indicates DBT sulfone was the solely oxidized product of DBT. (C) 2019 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.