Phosphotungestovanadate immobilized on PVA as an efficient and reusable nano catalyst for oxidative desulphurization of gasoline

•Vanadium containing polyoxometalate was supported on polyvinylalcohol (PVA) via sol–gel method in mild temperature.•Catalytic activity tested on ODS of actual gasoline and model sulfur compounds.•(N(tBu)4)4HPW10V2O40-PVA nanocomposite was shown be able to scavenge mercaptans (with high yield) in gasoline by H2O2 as an oxidant.•Activity of nanocomposite is much higher than unsupported polyoxometalates.

In this manuscript, phosphotungestovanadate (N(tBu)4) 4HPW10V2O40 (PWV) as a Keggin-type polyoxometalate was synthesized and immobilized on poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) via sol–gel method. The materials characterized by FT-IR, XRD, UV–vis, SEM and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Catalytic activity of synthesized nanocomposite was tested on oxidative desulphurization of actual gasoline and results are compared with that of model sulphur compounds. This Keggin-type supported catalyst was shown to be able to have oxidative desulphurization of model sulphur compounds and actual gasoline with high yield. The addition of acetic acid enhanced the conversion. The advantages of this method lie in its mild condition, low cost, large scale, simplicity and environmentally friendly route.

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