Deep oxidative desulfurization of fuels catalyzed by magnetic Fenton-like hybrid catalysts in ionic liquids

Three magnetic Fenton-like hybrid materials Q[FeCl4] [Q = (CH3)(4)N, C14H29N(CH3)(3), and C18H37N(CH3)(3)] were synthesized and characterized, which were used as catalysts in oxidative desulfurization combining ionic liquids (ILs) extraction and H2O2 oxidation. The reaction conditions were optimized by investigating reaction temperature, time, the type of ILs, the amount of H2O2 and catalysts in detail. The removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model oil could get up to 97.0% at 30 degrees C for 1 h. In addition, the utilization rate of H2O2 could be improved by adding it in batches. The catalytic system, consisting of IL and catalysts, could be easily separated by applying an external magnetic field and regeneration by washing with water, which could be recycled six times with a slight decrease in desulfurization efficiencies.