Ag/Mo Doping for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium (IV) Dioxide during Fuel Desulphurization

Regarding photocatalytic oxidative desulphurization (PODS), titanium oxide (TiO₂) is a promising contender as a catalyst due to its photocatalytic prowess and long-term performance in desulphurization applications. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of double-doping TiO₂ in silver (Ag) and molybdenum (Mo) for use as a novel catalyst in the desulphurization of light-cut hydrocarbons. FESEM, EDS, and AFM were used to characterize the morphology, doping concentration, surface features, grain size, and grain surface area of the Ag/Mo powder. On the other hand, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, UV-Vis, and PL were used for structure and functional group detection and light absorption analysis based on TiO₂’s illumination properties. The microscopic images revealed nanoparticles with irregular shapes, and a 3D-AFM image was used to determine the catalyst’s physiognomies: 0.612 nm roughness and a surface area of 811.79 m²/g. The average sizes of the grains and particles were calculated to be 32.15 and 344.4 nm, respectively. The XRD analysis revealed an anatase structure for the doped TiO₂, and the FTIR analysis exposed localized functional groups, while the absorption spectra of the catalyst, obtained via UV-Vis, revealed a broad spectrum, including visible and near-infrared regions up to 1053.34 nm. The PL analysis showed luminescence with a lower emission intensity, indicating that the charge carriers were not thoroughly combined. This study’s findings indicate a desulphurization efficiency of 97%. Additionally, the promise of a nano-homogeneous particle distribution bodes well for catalytic reactions. The catalyst retains its efficiency when it is dried and reused, demonstrating its sustainable use while maintaining the desulphurization efficacy. This study highlights the potential of the double doping approach in enhancing the catalytic properties of TiO₂, opening up new possibilities for improving the performance of photo-oxidative processes.