Thiophene is one of the
main compounds in this class present in gasoline and it is the
most difficult one to be oxidized using the conventional
oxidat desulfurization processes.
The inertness of thiophene
in this process is mainly due to the aromatic nature and
low electron density on the sulfur atom which renders the
oxidation of thiophene molecules more difficult.
Therefore,it was crucial to develop an effective photocatalyst for the
removal of sulfur-containing compounds from gasoline
through the photocatalytic oxidation.