A series of Mg/TiO2
photocatalysts were prepared using aqueous wet impregnation method at different Mg loading
followed by calcination at different temperatures for 1 h duration. The photocatalysts were characterized using thermal
gravimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and
high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The photocatalysts were investigated for photooxidative-extractive
deep desulfurization of model oil containing dibenzothiophene at room temperature and under visible light irradiation.
The model oil containing 100 ppm S was photooxidized followed by extraction using imidazolium-phosphate ionic liquids
at room temperature. The best performing photocatalyst was 0.25 wt. % Mg/TiO2
calcined at 400°C (0.25Mg400), in
which 98.4% of dibenzothiophene (3.070 mmol DBT per g photocatalyst) was converted to dibenzothiophene sulfone. The
highest extraction efficiency of 97.8% (0.01525 mmol S per mL ionic liquid) was displayed by 1,2-diethylimidazolium
diethylphosphate.