Synthesis of a novel inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite, (Bu4N)7H3[P2W18Cd4(Br)2O68]@TiO2, as a novel nano mercaptan scavenger in gasoline

To preparation of clean gasoline fuel a novel inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite, (Bu4N)7H3[P2W18Cd4O68]@TiO2 was synthesized by supported sandwich-type polyoxometalate (STPOM) on TiO2. (Bu4N)7H3[P2W18Cd4O68]@TiO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized by an unusual reaction of A-β-Na8HPW9O34 with cadmium nitrate and titanium tetraisopropoxide. The (Bu4N)7H3[P2W18Cd4O68]@TiO2 was exploited as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst for deep oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of gasoline and model oil. High desulfurization efficiency was achieved using hydrogen peroxide/acetic acid (H2O2/AcOH) as an oxidant at 35 °C after 60 min. On the basis of the suggested ODS system, the mercaptan and sulfur content of gasoline could be removed with 97% and 98% yield, respectively. The obtained results show that this sandwich-type nanocomposite be able to scavenge hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans with high yield. This system provides an efficient, convenient and practical method for scavenging of sulfur compound. Using toluene solutions of the model compounds, experiments were carried out to compare the reactivity of the different benzothiophenes in oxidation reactions, a key step for oxidative desulphurization.