The remarkable adsorption capacity of zinc/nickel/copper-based metal–organic frameworks for thiophenic sulfurs

Abstract

A new type of Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC metal–organic framework (MOF) with three central metals (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺) and one organic ligand (1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid, H₃BTC) was synthesized and its adsorption performance for thiophene (Th), benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) from three typical model oils was systematically studied using breakthrough curves. Due to its coordinatively unsaturated sites, Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC possesses a high sulfur capacity. In addition, it shows a strong durability in the presence of aromatic components and moisture. The saturated adsorbents could be easily regenerated with solvent washing and nitrogen sweeping. The results of this study revealed that Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC is a promising adsorbent for the removal of thiophenic sulfurs from fuels.