Comparative study on oxidation desulphurization of actual gas oil and model sulfur compounds with hydrogen peroxide promoted by formic acid: Synthesis and characterization of vanadium containing polyoxometalate supported on anatase crushed nanoleaf

H7SiV3W9O40-TiO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized by reaction of Na10[α-SiW9O34] with sodium vanadate and then condensation with titanium tetraisopropoxide at 100 °C via sol–gel method under oil-bath condition. The materials are characterized by IR, XRD, TEM and UV–vis techniques. TEM images depict that the crushed nanoleaf of anatase phase is 20 nm in nature and fixing of H7SiV3W9O40 decreases its size. Indeed, the nanoparticles of H7SiV3W9O40-TiO2 are small with a size of about 10 nm. The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of several sulfur compounds with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and formic acid was studied. On the other hand, catalytic activity of nanocomposite was tested on oxidative desulfurization of actual gas oil and results are compared with that of model sulfur compounds. This Keggin-type supported catalyst was shown to be able to have oxidative desulfurization of model sulfur compounds and actual gas oil with high yield. The addition of formic acid enhanced the conversion. This system provides an efficient, convenient and practical method for scavenging sulfur compound.