Modulated Synthesis of a Novel Nickel-Based Metal-Organic Framework Composite Material for the Adsorptive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels

Removing sulfur from liquid fuels has become an important issue in a global society. Modulated synthesis is known to improve the crystallinity of materials, ease of handling, control of crystallite size, and degree of aggregation. A group of adsorbents [activated carbon (AC), a novel synthesized Ni-based metalorganic framework (Ni-BDC), and composites of AC@Ni-BDC treated with different concentrations of nitric acid and modulator (formic acid)] were characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD)-pyridine studies. The adsorbents were also evaluated for adsorptive desulfurization. The quantities of both AC and the modulator were observed to influence the nucleation of Ni-BDC, crystallite size, and crystallinity. The adsorption activity of the composite toward thiophene (TH) was the average of the two materials (i.e., AC and Ni-BDC), while the activity doubled toward dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) with respect to the excepted average. The improved activity was attributed to enhanced pore structure, crystallinity, and synergistic effects that produced stronger acidic sites.

Automated summary

This study investigated the characterization and adsorptive desulfurization performance of a group of adsorbents, including activated carbon and a novel synthesized Ni-based metal-organic framework. The quantities of both the activated carbon and modulator were found to influence the nucleation of the material, crystallite size, and crystallinity. The composite material showed improved adsorption activity towards different sulfur compounds, attributed to enhanced pore structure, crystallinity, and synergistic effects.