| abstract |
A nanocomposite composition for oxidative desulfurization of liquid hydrocarbon fuels, is disclosed. The nanocomposite composition comprises an amorphous mesoporous titania-silica (TiO 2 —SiO 2 ) nanocomposite oxidative desulfurization (ODS) catalyst-adsorbent, including, a chelating agent, an alcohol, an alkoxides precursor of silica and titania, water, an organic polymer and a textural agent. The nanocomposite ODS catalyst-adsorbent is prepared with the aid of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as directing agent and citric acid (CA) as chelating agent. The PEG increases the specific surface area and average pore diameter of ODS catalyst-adsorbent, which facilitates the diffusion of bulky sulfur compounds into porosities of catalyst and adsorption of oxidized sulfur compounds on the catalyst surface. The citric acid controls the hydrolysis and condensation of titanium precursor, which improves ODS performance of catalyst-adsorbent. Further, the prepared ODS catalyst-adsorbent is a dual function material capable of catalyzing the oxidation sulfur compounds and their removal to an ultra-low level in hydrocarbon fuel. |