Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride as photo-catalyst for oxidative desulfurization with oxygen

•mpg-C3N4 shows high photocatalysis performance for oxidizing dibenzothiophene.•Photocatalytic desulfurization reaction is conducted at room temperature.•The desulfurization rate of dibenzothiophene can reach 100% under optimal conditions.

In this study, we present a simple but efficient photocatalyst of mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg-C3N4) that can activate molecular O2 to oxidize dibenzothiophene under visible light. The desulfurization rate of the simulated oil was 100% under optimal conditions at room temperature. Mpg-C3N4 is characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm, and X-ray diffraction.

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