Desulfurization of Model Fuel with Mxene-Polyoxometalate Based Catalyst: Optimized by Box Behnken Design

Abstract

Transportation fuels containing sulfur compounds are very dangerous to the environment and to health since when burnt they result in the generation of sulfur oxides. More stringent fuel regulations have necessitated the urgent need to have efficient and sustainable desulfurization technologies. The paper is concerned with the desulfurization of model fuel with an MXene-polyoxometalate (POM) based catalyst with process optimization being done by using Box-Behnken experimental design. The synthesis and characterization of a MXene-supported polyoxometalate catalyst was verified by the use of different physicochemical methods to establish the integrity of its structure, surface activity, and catalytic performance. The oxidative desulfurization of model fuel having typical sulfur compounds under mild reaction conditions was tested as catalystics. The most important operating parameters such as the dose of catalyst, oxidants to sulfur ratio, temperature of reaction, and reaction time were carefully explored. The Box Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to approximate and optimize the desulfurization reaction and reduce the amount of experimental experiments. The predicted and experimental results were found to have a strong correlation and the developed quadratic model was found to possess high significance and reliability as statistically determined. The synergistic outcome between MXene and polyoxometalate elements was observed as a great removal of sulfur rate under optimal reaction conditions. This is due to the high surface area, good electron transfer characteristics of MXene and the high oxidative ability of the polyoxometalate which have increased desulfurization performance. Also, the catalyst was well stabilized and could be used repeatedly in various cycles, which implies that it can be used practically. In general, the study indicates that the use of MXene polyoxometalate based catalysts and ix statistic optimization by Box Behnken design is a cost effective and eco-friendly method of deep desulfurization of fuels which can be useful in industrial desulfurization technology in future