A new catalytic system for oxidative desulfurization of model diesel by hierarchical TiO 2 nanotube arrays on titanium foil, Zahra Khalilian, Alireza Najafi Chermahini, Mohamad Mohsen Momeni, Jaleh Najafi Sarpiri, Majid Motalebian Journal of Porous Materials, 28, 629-640, 2021

In the present study, TiO₂ nanotube arrays were synthesized through facile anodic oxidation of a titanium foil with the tube diameter and the wall thickness of 85–100, and 15–20 nm, respectively. Characterization using the FESEM technique showed after 6 h anodizing, uniform vertically nanotube arrays were fabricated. Then, the nanotube arrays were used as the catalyst in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of a model fuel under both thermal and photochemical conditions. Under thermal conditions, it was found that the sample with 6 h anodizing time shows the highest catalytic activity for dibenzothiophene (DBT) removal (98.10%) through the ODS process. Moreover, DBT removal can reach 96.97% for 120 min irradiation by under a UV lamp (400 W). Different reaction conditions, such as reaction time, temperature, the mole ratio of H₂O₂: DBT, were investigated in the catalytic system. This novel catalytic desulfurization system can be recycled eight times without any significant decrease in its activity.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10934-020-01021-9