Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis of bismuth molybdate with enhanced oxidative desulfurization activity

In this work, six different bismuth molybdate catalysts were synthesized by a fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. By adjusting the pH in the preparation process, the morphology and structure of the synthesized catalysts can be modified, and the transition of Bi 2 MoO 6 crystals to Bi 3.2 Mo 0.8 O 7.5 crystals can be selectively achieved. The sample prepared at pH 1, BMO-1, exhibited excellent activity for oxidizing sulfur compounds in fuel oil at 60 °C with a molar hydrogen peroxide to sulfur ratio of four, achieving removal rates of dibenzothiophene, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene of 99.71%, 99.68%, and 77.95%, respectively. When recycling the catalyst seven times, the removal rate of dibenzothiophene still reached 98.07%. A probable mechanism for the oxidative desulfurization process was proposed. This work not only offers a high-efficiency, method for the rapid preparation of bismuth molybdate catalysts but also extends the application of this catalyst in the field of deep oxidative desulfurization.