Preparation of 30%PMoV2@MOF@mSiO2 (MOF = MIL-101, HKUST-1, UiO-67, ZIF-8) catalysts and their oxidative desulfurization performance

•The effects of different MOFs window sizes on the removal rates of four thiophene sulfides were investigated by synthesizing four catalysts.•Under the optimal conditions PMoV2@MOF@mSiO2 the total removal rate of the four thiophenes was 91.52 %.•30%PMoV2@MOF@mSiO2 efficiency can still reach 86.24 % after ten cycles. PMoV2 was encapsulated in four MOFs (MIL-101, HKUST-1, UiO-67, ZIF-8) with different cavity sizes and window sizes using a hydrothermal synthesis method. Then, a layer of mesoporous silica was coated on the surface of the MOFs to obtain four designed three-layer encapsulated catalysts 30%PMoV2@MOF@mSiO2. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized through various characterization methods, and the influence of different MOF window sizes of the four catalysts on the removal rate of four thiophene sulfides was investigated. The optimal reaction conditions were also explored for the optimal catalyst. The results indicate that under simulated fuel of 2400 ppm, 30%PMoV2@UiO-67@mSiO2 owns the highest catalytic activity. Under optimal conditions, the total removal rate of four thiophene compounds was 91.52 %, and after ten cycles, the efficiency could still reach 86.24 %. This is attributed to the sufficient cavity size of UiO-67, which provides assurance for the loading of PMoV2 and the large window size, making it possible for the smooth reaction between sulfides and PMoV2. [Display omitted]