Preparation of a novel BiVO4-Ni(Ⅱ)/g-C3N4 bifunctional photo electrocatalyst for oxidative and absorptive desulfurization of model fuel

This investigation aims to remove sulfur-based compounds (SBCs) by a combination of absorptive and oxidative desulfurization processes. Accordingly, a series of novel Bi-based bifunctional photo electrocatalysts is prepared by thermal method and used to remove dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a source of SBC from n-heptane as model fuel. The catalysts are used in photo electrocatalytic, photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic desulfurization systems and their effect on oxidative and absorptive processes is compared. The catalysts showed higher efficiency in absorptive desulfurization (ADS) by electrocatalytic desulfurization (EDS) and better results in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) by photocatalytic desulfurization (PDS). Among the results, photoelectrocatalytic desulfurization (POEDS) performed best in DBT removal (94%). The catalyst characterization was carried out with various analyses such as XPS, Raman, FTIR, DRS, TGA, FESEM, TEM, and chronoamperometry. The effect of adding radical scavengers on desulfurization was studied to determine the reaction mechanism. The stability of the selected catalyst is examined by repeating the reaction under optimum reaction conditions. [Display omitted] •A novel photo-electrocatalytic oxidative desulfurization process is achieved using BiVO4-Ni(Ⅱ)/g-C3N4.•Desulfurization reached up to 94% under the optimized conditions.•Mechanism of the reaction and reusability of catalysts were investigated.•Photo electrocatalytic, photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reactions were compared.