Effect of Mn doping on the structure and oxidative desulfurization properties of Co-V-O binary metal oxides

• • Mn doping into Co-V-O raised the direct oxidative desulfurization rate of DBT from baseline (undoped) to 81.6% under 110 °C, 0.03 g catalyst, 150 mL/min O2, and 20 mL model oil—demonstrating a clear performance gain for aerobic ODS. • • Coupling extraction with ODS boosted DBT removal to 98.0%, surpassing the undoped catalyst and meeting stringent sulfur limits (<10 ppm) required for commercial fuels. • • Mn doping increased surface oxygen vacancy concentration, which facilitated activation of molecular oxygen to generate superoxide radicals (·O2−), the key active species for selective oxidation of DBT to DBTO2. • • The catalyst system operates under mild conditions (110 °C, ambient pressure) with oxygen as oxidant, offering a cost-effective and environmentally benign alternative to HDS for refractory aromatic sulfur compounds.