Synthesis of europium metal–organic framework (Eu-MOF) and its performance in adsorptive desulfurization

Europium metal organic framework (Eu-MOF) was synthesized using Europium as metal ion center and 1,3,5-trimesic acid (H₃BTC) as organic ligand under hydrosolvothermal conditions. The dynamic performance of the Eu-MOF material in adsorption desulfurization processes was investigated using a solution of thiophene/n-octane as sulfur containing quality model oil. The adsorption desulfurization kinetics equations and adsorption desulfurization isotherms of Eu-MOF were also studied. The results have shown that Eu-MOF catalyst has very good adsorption desulfurization abilities under optimum desulfurization conditions of m_adsorbent: m_{model oil} ratio of 1:100 and reaction temperature of 303 K. After 4 h of desulfurization reaction, the adsorption rate and the adsorption desulfurization capacity has reached 64.70% and 24.59 mgS/gMOF respectively. The Eu-MOF adsorption desulfurization process of thiophene on Eu-MOF fits well the quasi two level dynamic model using Langmuir isotherm, Freundlich isotherm and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm equations. The Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm can be a suitable description of adsorption process for Eu-MOF absorbent on thiophene/n-octane mode oil. However the Freundlich isotherm equation model with fitting R ² value closer to 1, can be a better description for the adsorption of thiophene. The adsorption of thiophene over Eu-MOF absorbent has two types of adsorption that occur simultaneously. These are the monolayer physical adsorption and the multilayer chemical adsorption.