Adsorption oxidation desulfurization of model fuel by mesoporous SiO2 supported deep eutectic solvents TBAB/PEG-200

Abstract

A novel supported deep eutectic solvent (DES) TBAB/PEG-200 was prepared by loading DES TBAB/PEG-200 onto mesoporous silica by the sol–gel method. The properties of the supported deep eutectic solvent TBAB/PEG-200 were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, BET analysis, and TG. The adsorption oxidation desulfurization system was studied using environmentally friendly H₂O₂ as an oxidant and typical heterocyclic sulfide dibenzothiophene (DBT) was dissolved in n-octane as a simulated oil. After the optimization of preset experimental parameters, the DBT content in the simulated oil could be removed deeply and effectively under the optimal reaction conditions m(25%-DES/SiO₂) = 0.20 g, T = 60 °C, O/S = 14, t = 60 min. The catalyst was reused more than 9 times with no significant decrease in the desulfurization rate. Finally, the possible adsorption oxidative desulfurization mechanism was proposed.