Application of a Novel Nanocomposite for Desulfurization of a Typical Organo Sulfur Compound

In this research, zeolite-TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared for degradation of dibenzothiophene as a typical aromatic organosulfur compound of transportation fuels.The synthesized TiO2 was immobilized on the surface of clinoptilolite by Solid State Dispersion (SSD) method. The nanocomposite was then characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM and SEM techniques. Photodegradation of dibenzothiophene in n-hexane solution by the prepared photocatalyst was then studied under different experimental conditions. The reaction products were identified by GC and GC-MS techniques. The  removal of degradation products from the solution was examined by β- zeolite. The results showed that under optimized conditions, the photocatalyst was able to degrade %88 of dibenzothiophene and that the degradation products were adsorbed by β-zeolite so that the remaining solution was deeply desulfurized. It was also concluded that the kinetics of the reaction was first order.