Sulfide oxidation via chitosan-supported g-C3N4/NiWO4 composites

• Grant number: 22/09715-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): December 15, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Elson Longo da Silva
• Grantee: Giovanna de Amorim Grasser
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/01170-9 - Modification of NiWO4 by femtosecond laser for application as catalysts in sulfide oxidation reactions, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The continuous search for cleaner fuels motivates the development of functional materials capable of transforming one unwanted compound into another. On this reasoning, nanomaterials can be adopted in the elaboration as catalysts, efficient and of low cost. Sulfide oxidation is extremely important for the petrochemical industry, because through it it is possible to control the degree of sulfurization of fuels, and thus minimize the effects caused by the burning of sulfur species in their combustion. In this way, employing semiconductor-based catalysts, such as g-C3N4 and NiWO4, can be an extremely interesting way to achieve high selectivity in oxidation processes. Further encapsulating these particles with biodegradable support can aid catalyst dispersion, stability, and recycling. In this project, as a catalyst, the use of g-C3N4 and NiWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in chitosan biofilm is proposed. The compositional parameters of the catalyst will be varied, and it will be structurally analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, infrared, and diffuse reflectance. The scanning electron microscopy technique will be used to analyze the catalyst surface. The evaluation of the catalytic potential of this material against the oxidation of sulfides will be carried out using thioanisole as the standard sulfide molecule. The mechanisms of oxidative activity will be analyzed through kinetic analysis and tests of scavengers of reactional species. The stability of the catalyst against catalytic recycles and its scaling will also be tested.(AU)