Electrospinning synthesis of H3PW12O40/TiO2 nanofiber catalytic materials and their application in ultra-deep desulfurization

Nanofibers have attracted increasing interest among scientists owing to their anisotropy, large length-diameter ratio, and unique optical, electrical and magnetic properties. H3PW12O40/TiO2 (PW12/TiO2) nanofibers catalysts have been successfully prepared combining electrospinning technology and calcination methods for the first time and they show ultra-deep desulfurization catalytic performance in mild conditions. PW12 could be well dispersed on the TiO2 nanofibers, which improve the catalytic activity and recyclability of catalysts. When the weight percentage of PW12 loading on TiO2 nanofibers was 40% (40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanofibers), DBT removal efficiency reached 100% within 30 min under the optimal desulfurization conditions, which was more effective than that using 40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanoparticles as catalysts. After 5-times recycling, the catalytic activity of 40 wt.% PW12/TiO2 nanofibers was not significant decrease. Therefore, these novel PW12/TiO2 nanofibers can be used to deeply desulfurize in industry.