Synthesis and catalytic evaluation of CoMo/SBA-15 catalysts for oxidative removal of dibenzothiophene from a model diesel

•Mesostructured CoMo/SBA-15 catalysts contain only Lewis acid sites.•Co-modified molybdate microcrystals are chiefly responsible for the DBT oxidation.•β-CoMoO4 is an inactive phase in DBT oxidation.

Three CoMo/SBA-15 catalysts were synthesized using impregnation method with different Co and Mo contents at a Mo/Co molar ratio 15. Their catalytic properties were evaluated for dibenzothiophene (DBT) oxidation in a model diesel fuel. Molybdate microcrystals and β-CoMoO4 were formed in each catalyst, the former was chiefly responsible for the DBT oxidation, while the latter was an inactive phase. Increasing the CoMo metal loading may inhibit β-CoMoO4 formation but increases the amount of Co-modified molybdate microcrystals, and thus, improves significantly the catalytic activity.

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