Enhanced oxidative desulfurization of liquid model fuel under microwave irradiation over W2N@C catalyst nanoarchitectonics

•Effect of microwave (MW) in oxidative desulfurization with W2N@C was firstly studied.•The stubborn thiophene (Th) can be removed (97%) in 30 min with recyclable W2N@C.•MW accelerated Th oxid. by 3.4 times (Ea decrease 16 kJ/mol), compared to electric heating.•ODS under microwave was explained with ⋅O2− formation, different from electric heating.•Oxidized thiophene leads to benzoic acid or benzaldehyde, different from general sulfones.