Cross-Linked Polyvinylimidazole Complexed with Heteropolyacid Clusters for Deep Oxidative Desulfurization

The combustion of fuel with high sulfur concentrations produces a large number of sulfur oxides (SOx), which have a range of negative effects on human health and life. The preparation of catalysts with excellent performance in the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process is highly effective for reducing SOxproduction. In this paper, cross-linked polyvinylimidazole (VE) was successfully created using a simple ontology aggregation method, after which a catalyst of polyvinylimidazolyl heteropolyacid clusters (VE-HPA) was prepared by adding heteropolyacid clusters. Polyvinylimidazolyl-phosphotungstic acid (VE-HPW) showed an outstanding desulfurization performance, and the desulfurization efficiency reached 99.68% in 60 min at 50 °C with H2O2as an oxidant. Additionally, the catalyst exhibited recyclability nine consecutive times and remained stable, with a removal rate of 98.60%. The reaction mechanism was eventually proposed with the assistance of the free radical capture experiment and GC-MS analysis.