Lipophilic decavanadate supported by three-dimensional porous carbon nitride catalyst for aerobic oxidative desulfurization

A supported catalyst of the lipophilic decavanadate/three-dimensional (3D) porous g-C3N4 composite was synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The lipophilic decavanadate [(C8H17)(3)NCH3](3)H3V10O28 was prepared by combining quaternary ammonium salt with decavanadate through acidification. A series of characterizations indicated that the carrier g-C3N4 obtained through supramolecular self-assembly of melamine, cyanuric acid and urea has a 3D pore structure, and it was conducive to the distributed load of the active center. Then, the composition and morphology of the supported catalysts were analyzed detailedly. Activity experiments demonstrated that the catalyst can achieve the goal of activating molecule oxygen to oxidize refractory aromatic sulfur compounds in diesel under mild conditions. The catalyst can still maintain stable catalytic activity after 5 cycles. Based on the results of GC-MS and ESR characterization, the probable mechanism was proposed. The combination of the lipophilic decavanadate and the carrier carbon nitride solves the problem of interface mass transfer effect between different phases and handicaps in separation and regeneration. Herein, the catalyst exhibits high desulfurization activity and good cycle stability.