A novel La³⁺–Zn²⁺–Al³⁺–MoO₄²⁻ layered double hydroxides photocatalyst for the decomposition of dibenzothiophene in diesel oil

A new type of photocatalyst, La³⁺-Zn²⁺-Al³⁺-MoO₄²⁻ layered double hydroxide (LDH) (La:Zn:Al = 1:7:2), was prepared by a complexing agent-assisted homogeneous precipitation technique. The LDHs were used as catalysts for the desulfurization of diesel oil under UV irradiation. As revealed by the results, the catalyst showed superior desulfurization efficiency and recycling performance. Under UV irradiation, the desulfurization efficiency was 84% in 60 min. In La³⁺–Zn²⁺–Al³⁺–MoO₄²⁻ LDHs, the introduction of MoO₄²⁻ increased the interlayer space for promoting the adsorption of dibenzothiophene, and MoO₄²⁻ might act as the active sites for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene, resulting in the high desulfurization efficiency.