Expulsion of sulfur-containing compounds as well as nitrogen-containing
compounds present in fuel oils is critical because it can cause numerous
environmental problems and catalyst deactivation. Because of the limitations
of the other catalysts and adsorbents used for desulfurization, a
new type of carbon material, i.e., graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), has emerged. It is similar in morphology to
graphene having a two-dimensional structure and possessing a band
gap of 2.7 eV and is an attractive catalyst attributed to its intriguing
characteristics like high intrinsic photoresponsiveness and photoabsorption,
semiconductive properties, and better stability. An ample amount of
literature has been documented on g-C3N4 applied
for the desulfurization and denitrogenation of fuel oils. Due to the
analogy of boron with carbon materials, boron nitrides (BN) are also
important. In materials chemistry, hexagonal BN (h-BN), often termed
as “white graphene”, among the different phases of BN,
is highly regarded due to adaptation of diverse morphologies such
as nanotubes and nanosheets. BN has been recommended as an emerging
and efficacious 2D material in catalysis because it possesses oxidative
resistance, chemically inertness, a sp2-bonded layered
structure, wide band gap, and higher thermal stability and conductivity.
This review systematically encompasses the important reports documented
on the applications of g-C3N4 and BNs in fuel
oil processing including the synthesis, various properties, and fascinating
experimental findings. Later on, key suggestions are put forward for
future research directions and new technologies applying g-C3N4 and BN for the processing of transportation fuels.
This review could act as a concentrated platform, as a quick access
source and great degree of convenience, giving time effective routes
for researchers to reported results and designs of novel and efficacious
catalysts for the commercialization of desulfurization and denitrogenation
technologies.