Synergy effect of boron and cobalt in B₂O₃-SBA-15-(Co)Mo catalyst for efficient hydrodesulfurization of liquid fuels

The contributory effect of surface acidity is significant to desulfurize heavy recalcitrant organosulfur compounds effectively. This research explores the synergistic effect of boron and cobalt in CoMoS supported on B₂O₃-SBA-15 for ultradeep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of DBT and MDBT in the model and diesel fuel, respectively. The catalysts prepared consisting of SBA-15-(Co)Mo, representing (SM and SMC) and B₂O₃-SBA-15-(Co)Mo for BSM and BSMC, were fully characterized to gain insight into the structural activity concerning the nature of the fuel and the organosulfur compound employed. The incorporation of boron into the mesoporous framework of SBA-15 improves the surface characteristics, viz. surface acidity, support metal interaction and textural properties, necessary for efficient catalytic HDS reaction. The catalysts BSM and BSMC outperformed their analogous catalysts SM and SMC. The catalytic efficiency of BSMC is outstanding and capable of desulfurizing diesel fuel (1000 ppmw-S) containing a more complex matrix with a 90% conversion of methyldibenzothiophene (MDBT). BSMC possessed favorable and lower activation energy (E_a) of 77.11 kJ mol⁻¹ than other catalysts and can be used as a commercial catalyst for ultradeep desulfurization of real fuel. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].