Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3) as an efficient catalyst for aerobic oxidative desulfurization of fuels

Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3)was synthesized by a simple reflux method using cerium nitrate hexahydrate and ammonium molybdate as reactants.The as-prepared Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3)was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Scanning electron microscope(SEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The removal of dibenzothiophene(DBT)in model oil was studied using Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3)as catalyst and oxygen as oxidant.The reaction factors such as reaction temperature,amount of catalyst,and sulfide type on sulfur removal were researched.The results prove that both Ce3+and MoO42-play significant role in the conversion from DBT to DBTO2.The Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3)catalyst has an excellent performance for the sulfur removal of DBT.Under the optimum reaction conditions,sulfur removal of 99.6%was obtained.After recycling five times,no significant loss in catalyst activity of Ce_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3).Mechanism of aerobic oxidative desulfurization was proposed based on the experiment of free radical capture and infrared characterization.