Studying the mechanism and kinetics of fuel desulfurization using CexOy/NiOx piezo-catalysts as a new low-temperature method

Sangar S Ahmed; Omid Amiri; Karwan M Rahman; Savana J Ismael; Noor S Rasul; Darya Mohammad; Karukh A Babakr; Nabaz A Abdulrahman

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-34329-y

Studying the mechanism and kinetics of fuel desulfurization using CexOy/NiOx piezo-catalysts as a new low-temperature method

Sci Rep. 2023 May 10;13(1):7574. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-34329-y.

Authors

Sangar S Ahmed¹, Omid Amiri^{2

3}, Karwan M Rahman¹, Savana J Ismael¹, Noor S Rasul¹, Darya Mohammad¹, Karukh A Babakr⁴, Nabaz A Abdulrahman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Chemistry Department, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Kirkuk Road, 44001, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
² Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Raparin, Rania, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. o.amiri1@gmail.com.
³ Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, 67149, Iran. o.amiri1@gmail.com.
⁴ Chemistry Department, College of Science, University of Raparin, Rania, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
⁵ Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq.

Abstract

In order to advance desulfurization technology, a new method for excellent oxidative desulfurization of fuel at room temperature will be of paramount importance. As a novel desulfurization method, we developed piezo-catalysts that do not require adding any oxidants and can be performed at room temperature. A microwave method was used to prepare CeO₂/Ce₂O₃/NiO_x nanocomposites. Model and real fuel desulfurization rates were examined as a function of synthesis parameters, such as microwave power and time, and operation conditions, such as pH and ultrasonic power. The results showed that CeO₂/Ce₂O₃/NiO_x nanocomposites demonstrated outstanding piezo-desulfurization at room temperature for both model and real fuels. Furthermore, CeO₂/Ce₂O₃/NiO_x nanocomposites exhibited remarkable reusability, maintaining 79% of their piezo-catalytic activity even after 17 repetitions for desulfurization of real fuel. An investigation of the mechanism of sulfur oxidation revealed that superoxide radicals and holes played a major role. Additionally, the kinetic study revealed that sulfur removal by piezo-catalyst follows a second-order reaction kinetic model.