π‐Complexation Studied by Fluorescence Technique: Application in Desulfurization of Petroleum Product using Magnetic π‐Complexation Sorbents

Abstract

Magnetic π‐complexation sorbents were studied for petroleum product desulfurization by fluorescent technique. The ability of metal cation to form π‐complexation decreases in the order following: Cu⁺>Ni²⁺>Co²⁺>Al³⁺. The order is consistent with that of desulfurization performance of their corresponding magnetic sorbents (γ‐Al₂O₃‐Cu(I)>γ‐Al₂O₃‐Ni(II)>γ‐Al₂O₃‐Co(II)>γ‐Al₂O₃). Both π‐complexation strength and desulfurization performance of the sorbents increase with temperature. The adsorptive performances of magnetic γ‐Al₂O₃‐Cu(I) sorbent to different compounds have the following orders: DBT>fluorene, and pyrene>naphthalene>benzene, respectively. In this study, dibenzothiophene (DBT) was used as a model sulphur‐containing compound for desulfurization. The maximal adsorption amount of magnetic γ‐Al₂O₃‐Cu(I), was 0.362 mmol DBT g^?1.