Copper(II)-β-cyclodextrin and CuO functionalized graphene oxide composite for fast removal of thiophenic sulfides...

A novel copper(II)-β-cyclodextrin and CuO functionalized graphene oxide composite (CD-CuO/NH₂-GO) was successfully synthesized by reacting mono-6-O-toluenesulfonyl-copper(II)-β-cyclodextrin with amino and CuO functionalized graphene oxide. The characterization results showed that the CD-CuO/NH₂-GO was well-characterized and has a BET surface area of 746.5 m² g^-1 and good thermal stability, and CD and CuO were uniformly dispersed. The unique structure of CD-CuO/NH₂-GO is conducive to the synergistic effect of the different components, especially for the inclusion ability of CD. Benefiting from that, CD-CuO/NH₂-GO could quickly and efficiently remove the thiophenic sulfides, which are difficult to be economically removed by hydrodesulfurization. The removal efficiency for the three sulfides was in the order of benzothiophene > dibenzothiophene > thiophene. The desulfurization process of benzothiophene has the fastest desulfurization rate (0.121 g mg^-1 min^-1) and maximum sulfur capacity (12.75 mg S g^-1). The different molecular inclusion ability of CD for the thiophenic sulfides demonstrates the difference in the desulfurization of CD-CuO/NH₂-GO. The work highlights the synthesis and the potential application in fuel desulfurization of supramolecular GO composite nanomaterials.