Dual ultrasmall clusters on zinc cobalt oxide for boosting photocatalytic aerobic oxidative desulfurization

Photocatalytic aerobic oxidative desulfurization (PAODS) is an emerging green and sustainable method for fuel desulfurization. However, the sluggish conversion kinetics of refractory sulfur compounds pose a significant challenge for current photocatalysts. Here we report a P-doped ZnCoO porous nanosheet photocatalyst co-modified with ultrasmall MoOx and Pt clusters for boosting the photocatalytic conversion of thiophenic organic sulfur compounds. Through experimental characterization and theoretical calculations, we demonstrate that MoOx and Pt function as oxidation and reduction cocatalysts, respectively, significantly improving photocatalytic efficiency by facilitating effective charge separation, accelerating surface reactions, and providing active sites for the oxidation reaction. The catalyst achieves an exceptional mass-specific activity of 10.40 mmol g−1 h−1 in the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT), and more importantly, enables deep desulfurization of real diesel, underscoring its practical applicability in an industrial setting. This work provides both foundational insights and technical advancements for the development of efficient photocatalysts in carbon-neutral PAODS processes.