Construction of 2D-2D V2O5/BNNS nanocomposites for improved aerobic oxidative desulfurization performance

Abstract In this study, 2D-2D nanocomposites were constructed based on V2O5 and exfoliated ultra-thin BN nanosheets (BNNS) via a facile solvothermal route. Detailed characterization results indicate the successful introduction of 2D V2O5 to the exfoliated BNNS carrier. The catalytic aerobic oxidation performance of the 2D-2D V2O5/BNNS nanocomposites was measured by catalytic oxidative desulfurization of oils with using molecular oxygen (O2) in the air as oxidant, providing an efficient desulfurization strategy to produce ultra-low S-content oils. Here, 99.6% removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT, ≤2 ppm) could be achieved under atmospheric pressure. Moreover, deep desulfurization of oils with different substrates and distractors could also be achieved. And the reaction system could be recycled for at least 7 times without any appreciable decrease of catalytic performance. The existence of BNNS could help to adsorb sulfides in oil phase, forming local high concentration of substrates on the surface of the catalyst, which could accelerate the reaction rate effectively. In addition, this study would also share new sights for the rational design and synthesis of binary nanocomposites for aerobic oxidation reactions.