Adsorption of aromatic sulfur compounds on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)

Abstract

Large-ring aromatic sulfur compounds, e.g., benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT), present in petroleum and liquid fuels are harmful to human health and the environment. These compounds cause acid rain due to SO2 formation upon combustion of liquid fossil fuels. We studied the use of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), e.g., Cu-MOF Basolite C300, to remove aromatic sulfur compounds from model liquid fossil fuels selective way and in a non-destructive fashion. The kinetics of adsorption of aromatic sulfur compounds on Cupper-MOF (Cu-MOF) was investigated under ambient conditions. The adsorption capacity of Cu-MOF with respect to large-ring aromatic sulfur compounds was examined under thermodynamic equilibrium at different temperatures. The chemical analysis of the liquid phase was performed by UV/VIS spectroscopy (quantitative determination) and high performance liquid chromatography HPLC (qualitative chemical analysis). Quantum chemical simulations of the structure of the aromatic sulfur compound DBT and its molecular spectra were conducted. Evidence of molecular interaction between MOFs and aromatic sulfur compounds was shown by fluorescence spectroscopy.