Adsorptive separation of thiophene derivatives via metal organic framework material MOF-5

 A novel method for the deep desulphurization of fuel products was investigated by using the metal organic framework material MOF-5 as an adsorbent. MOF-5 was synthesized hydrothermally and its structure was characterized by means of XRD, SEM and N₂ adsorption. The desulphurization performance of MOF-5 was tested in terms of breakthrough curves with the simulated oils at room temperature. The results showed that the adsorbent MOF-5 possesses quite large sulfur capacity, even larger than those reported previously in literature. The adsorbent breakthrough capacity and saturation capacity for sulfur component were 0.90% and 1.92% in the aliphatic oil, and 0.64% and 1.72% in the aromatic oil, respectively. The negative effect of moisture on the desulphurization performance was eliminated by packing it with the activated carbon adsorbent together, which provides a new way for the development of the adsorptive desulphurization process.