A supported heterogeneous catalyst with polyoxometalate-based ionic liquid (POM-IL) [N-(3-sulfonate propyl)-pyridinium] 3PMo12O40 ([PSPy] PMo) served as active component was prepared and graphite carbon (GC) with layer structure was used as support. Characterizations of the supported catalyst by FT-IR, Raman, XRD, XPS and TEM confirmed that IL was immobilized on GC successfully and the structure was retained after the hydrothermal impregnation method. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited high catalytic performance in the solvent-free oxidative desulfurization system. Various of reaction conditions were investigated and the removal of dibenzothiophene reached 100% under the optimum conditions. Wettability experiments and kinetics studies were taken to better understand the oxidation reactions. In addition, the suggested mechanism was given with the help of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer analysis. Moreover, the supported catalyst had a good recyclability, which made it have a promising prospect for industrial application. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.