A H-titanate nanotube with superior oxidative desulfurization selectivity

H-Titanate nanotubes ( H-TiNTs) were prepared and used as catalysts for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT), which is typically found in diesel. The catalyst was synthesized through a hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N-2 adsorption-desorption. The effects of typical diesel components on sulfur removal from the model oil were also evaluated by adding various amounts of 1-octylene, xylene or cyclohexane to the oxidation system. The H-TiNTs exhibited superior catalytic selectivity in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) without an obvious decrease in activity in the presence of the various diesel compounds. Both UV and Raman spectroscopy analyses revealed that the Ti-hydroperoxide generated from H-TiNTs in the presence of hydrogen peroxide played a crucial role in the selective oxidation process. The oxidation mechanism was also explored.