Visible light photoactivity of sulfur and phosphorus doped nanoporous carbons in oxidation of dibenzothiophenes

Polymer-derived sulfur and phosphorus doped activated carbon and commercial phosphoric acid activated carbon were used as adsorbents of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) from model diesel fuel (MDF). The experiments were carried out in dark, and under visible light and UV irradiations. Extraction of the products of surface reactions showed oxidation of DBT and DMDBT to sulfoxides, sulfones and other oxygen containing derivatives. The comparable results in UV and visible light demonstrate photoactivity of sulfur and phosphorus containing activated carbons in ambient conditions. Oxygen from surface groups and photogenerated holes and electrons are involved in surface reactions.