Synthesis of ordered meso/macroporous H3PW12O40/SiO2 and its catalytic performance in oxidative desulfurization

Abstract

Hierarchically ordered meso/macroporous phosphotungstic acid/SiO₂ (HPW/SiO₂) catalysts have been synthesized via the dual-templating method and used as a catalyst for oxidative desulfurization. The as-synthesized catalysts possess ordered macropores and well-ordered hexagonal mesopores within the walls of the macroporous cages. The HPW active species are finely dispersed in the silica matrix and retain its Keggin structure. Meso/macroporous HPW/SiO₂ catalysts show superior catalytic performance with obvious improvement of the desulfurization rate compared to mesoporous HPW/SiO₂ and macroporous HPW/SiO₂. The high performance of the catalyst should be attributed to the structural characteristics of the meso/macropores. Furthermore, the catalyst was recovered and reused for seven runs with only a slight decrease in the catalytic performance.