Textural and chemical factors affecting adsorption capacity of activated carbon in highly efficient desulfurization of diesel fuel

Two synthetic, polymer-derived carbons, and two commercial carbons were investigated as adsorbents of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene from simulated diesel fuel in dynamic conditions. The total concentration of sulfur was 20 ppm. The surface features of the carbons were evaluated using adsorption of nitrogen, potentiometric titration, Boehm titration, thermal analysis and FTIR. The polymer-derived carbons outperformed the commercial micro- and micro/mesoporous carbons from the point of view of adsorption capacity and selectivity. The latter was evaluated based on the adsorption of naphthalene, which was also present in the fuel used. It was found that the presence of arenes did not affect significantly the capacity measured. The results suggest that the amount adsorbed is mainly governed by the volume of micropores, where dispersive interactions are predominant. Acidic groups located in larger pores are also important to attract additional molecules DBT and 4,6-DMDBT via specific interactions with the progress of adsorption. These groups may also contribute to the reactive adsorption leading to oxidation of DBT and 4,6-DMDBT.