Synthesis of fibrous silica tantalum (FSTa) for photooxidative desulphurization

Abstract

The photooxidative desulphurization (PODS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was examined under visible light using fibrous silica tantalum (FSTa), tantalum oxide doped fibrous silica (Ta/KCC-1) and commercial tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅). FSTa was synthetized using hydrothermal method, while Ta/KCC-1 was obtained via a wet impregnation method. The catalysts were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). It was shown that the FSTa possesses the highest photocatalytic performance (70.2%), due to its fibrous structure, well-dispersion of Ta, as well as its narrower band gap. These traits impact on the photocatalysis by promoting the deposition of the DBT on the catalyst, allowing the efficient transfer of charge carrier and preventing the electron-hole recombination.