Synthesis BiVO4 modified by CuO supported onto bentonite for molecular oxygen photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization of fuel under visible light

•CuO modified BiVO4/BTT photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized.•Molecular oxygen was used as an environmentally-friendly oxidant to photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization for fuel.•The photocatalytic performance of BiVO4/BTT by CuO doping was significantly improved.•The excellent performances of photocatalyst on desulfurization rate and regeneration were exhibited.