One-pot preparation of mesoporous KxPMo12O40 (x=1,2,3,4) materials for oxidation desulfurization: electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA) determines their activity

A series of pure polyoxometalate salts, Kx[PMo12O40]3- (KxPMo, x=1,2,3, 4), have been successfully prepared used F127 as template by one pot hydrothermal method. This obtained KxPMo materials are with mesoporous, and with high surface area (> 40 m2/g) without depending on the supports. Especially, this KxPMo materials display an increased efficiency for the oxidative desulfurization (ODS). This materials could be reused, and perform complete desulfurization of diesel in 1 h. And, our experimental test shows that the high activity of KxPMo catalysts (such as K1.0PMo, K2.0PMo, K3.0PMo and K4.0PMo) are linearly correlated with their electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA). K4.0PMo has largest ECSA value, and exposes largest number anions ([PMo12O40]3-), results in best ODS activity. This work reveals the role of ECSA in ODS reaction, providing a new understanding for ODS in mesoporous KxPMo materials.