High-Performance VC-Based Catalysts with Core–Shell-like Architecture for Room Temperature Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuels with Sodium Hypochlorite

Oxidative desulfurization with sodium hypochlorite is a promising technology for fuel purification due to the use of an accessible and regenerable oxidizer. In this work, we propose a new approach to obtaining high-performance catalysts based on vanadium carbide (VC) with a core–shell-like architecture synthesized by microwave-assisted irradiation followed by mild oxidation (VC*100). The oxide shell of the catalyst provides high activity and selectivity, while the carbide core is responsible for binding the active phase and high resistance to leaching. The obtained catalysts are characterized by a set of methods: XRD, HRTEM, SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, H2-TPR, and N2 physisorption. Under the optimized conditions, it is possible to completely oxidize dibenzothiophene at 25 °C in 10 min. The hot filtration method shows that in the case of V2O5, catalyst leaching and homogeneous catalysis occur, whereas in the case of VC*100, heterogeneous catalysis occurs. The possibility of selective oxidative desulfurization of a high-sulfur diesel fraction with sodium hypochlorite without the formation of side organochlorine compounds is shown by GC-MS. The proposed approaches open up wide possibilities for the development of a whole range of high-performance core–shell-like carbide catalysts for various oxidation processes, including oxidative desulfurization for the production of clean fuels.