Development of TiO2 catalyst based on Anderson-polyoxometalates for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization

• Anderson type POM modified TiO 2 were synthesized through sol-hydrothermal preparation method. • Photoactivity of Zn-Mo/TiO 2 was enhanced by improved carriers separation and transfer. • 100 % DBT was efficiently oxidized to DBTO 2 in 30 min at 30 °C. • Impressive recycling stability was founded even after five times under optimal conditions. Photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization (PODS) is a novel emerged promising method for effectively removing sulfur compounds under milder operating conditions. Herein, Anderson type polyoxometalate (NH 4 ) 4 ZnH 6 Mo 6 O 24 modified TiO 2 nanomaterial (named Zn-Mo/TiO 2 ) was designed to oxidize DBT to DBTO 2 under visible light irradiation with H 2 O 2 , this catalyst was synthesized based on Anderson type polyoxometalate (NH 4 ) 4 ZnH 6 Mo 6 O 24 by a sol-hydrothermal method. Different experimental effects of Anderson type polyoxometalate modified TiO 2 on the desulfurization conversion rate were investigated, including different (NH 4 ) 4 ZnH 6 Mo 6 O 24 contents, various catalyst dosage, additional sulfur-containing substrates and different oxygen sulfur ratios. 100 % sulfur removal can be achieved with (NH 4 ) 4 ZnH 6 Mo 6 O 24 /TiO 2 catalyst in only 30 min under room temperature. The considerable enhancement of photocatalytic activity is associated with a synergistic effect between the multi-metal structure of polyoxometalate and TiO 2 , which are conducive to promoting the transfer and separation of photogenerated electrons and holes.