Insights into Ionic Liquids for Oil Desulfurization: A Study Based on Bibliometric Mapping

Abstract

As the new green solvent, the ionic liquid is widely used in separation, synthesis, electrochemistry, and catalysis research. Accompanied by the oil sulfur content, high standards, and strict requirements, how to achieve deep desulfurization has become a challenge that refineries must face. To comprehensively understand the ionic liquids for oil desulfurization research, 848 papers from 2008 to 2023 are used as research data in this paper. Visualization and analysis were carried out with the help of bibliometric methods. The study found that Chinese publications are in the first position, and literature on this topic shows a more apparent geographical trend. Ionic liquids are currently used in oil desulfurization mainly as catalysts or extractants and are widely used in extractive desulfurization and oxidative desulfurization technologies for fuel oils. Future development may include new ionic liquids research and desulfurization effect performance, polymetallic oxides and ionic liquids fusion research, and research on desulfurization of novel materials similar to ionic liquids such as deep eutectic solvents.