Probing the Catalytic Activity of Sulfate-Derived Pristine and Post-Teatred Porous TiO2(101) Anatase Mesocrystals by the Oxidative Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophenes.

Abstract

Mesocrystals (basically nanostructures showing alignment of nanocrystals well beyond crystal size) are attracting considerable attention for modeling and optimiza- (heterogeneous catalysis), only those mesocrystals with excellent textural properties are expected to fulfill their potential. This is especially true for oxidative desulfuration of dibenzothiophenes (hard to desulfurize organosulfur com pounds found in fossil fuels). Here, we probe the catalytic activity of anatases for the oxidative desulfuration of dibenzothiophenes under atmospheric pressure and mild temperatures. Specifically, for this study, we have taken advantage of the high stability of the (101) anatase surface to obtain (pores around 3−4 nm and surface areas around 200 m2 /g). Ultimately, this stability has allowed us to compare the catalytic activity of anatasesthat expose a high number of aligned single crystal-like surfaces while differing in controllable surface essential for oxidative desulfuration and that both elimination of sulfates and good textural properties significantly improve the catalytic activity. Furthermore, the most active mesocrystals have been used to model the catalytic reaction in three-(oil− the oil to the solvent phase partially limits the oxidative process and to estimate an apparent activation energy for the oxidative establish that (101) anatase mesocrystals with excellent textural propertiesshow adequate stability to withstand several post treatments without losing their initial mesocrystalline character and therefore could serve as modelsfor catalytic processes different from the one studied here.