Synthesis and characterization of Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposite by sonochemical method for photocatalytic desulfurization of petroleum derivatives

In order to improve the desulfurization efficiency of petroleum derivatives, Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized by sonochemical method. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, FT-IR, BET, and DRS analyses. XRD analysis shows that the synthesized nanocomposite is amorphous. FESEM images showed that nanostructures with a smaller particle size distribution were synthesized under optimal conditions, i.e. controlling the synthesis temperature between 0 and 5 C-degrees. The results of desulfurization showed that nanocomposites containing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure samples, the main reason of which can be better charge separation in the samples through the pi electron in the rGO structure. The highest amount of desulfurization of CeVO4/rGO, BiVO4/rGO, and Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposites was 95.62, 91.25, and 96.38%, respectively, after exposure to UV light for 40 min. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity of Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO composite could be attributed to the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs and the inhibition of recombination. Desulfurization in the presence of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide increased the efficiency by 12%, which is a significant amount.

Automated summary

Ce0.5Bi0.5VO4/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized using the sonochemical method to improve the desulfurization efficiency of petroleum derivatives. The nanocomposite showed an amorphous structure and smaller particle size distribution under optimal synthesis conditions. The presence of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the nanocomposite enhanced photocatalytic efficiency by improving charge separation. The addition of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide further increased the desulfurization efficiency.