Preparation of Cu(І) Decorated 2D Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Adsorption Desulfurization from Model Fuel

Graphical Cu(I) decorated 2D black phosphorus nanosheets were synthesized by a ball-milling method . In the process of ball-milling, the bulk black phosphorus was exfoliated into nanosheets under the action of shearing force. Due to the reducibility of black phosphorus, it can react with CuCl 2 to form Cu(I)/BNPSs-n. As the active component of the adsorbent, Cu(I) species can interact with benzothiophene or dibenzothiophene in fuel to achieve the purpose of adsorption desulfurization. In this study, Cu(І) decorated two-dimensional black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) adsorbents were prepared by a ball-milling method, and their adsorption-desorption performances were tested by batch adsorption experiments. The results showed that Cu(ІI) can be completely reduced to Cu(І) without adding any additional reducing agents during the ball-milling process, owing to the ability of black phosphorus to provide electrons to Cu(ІI). Moreover, the produced Cu(І) species were firmly anchored on BPNSs surface through chemical bonds formed between Cu and P atoms, effectively preventing them from aggregating. As the active sites on BPNSs surface, Cu(I) species can adsorb dibenzothiophene or benzothiophene from fuel by forming π-complexation bonds with them. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for dibenzothiophene and benzothiophene were 13.16 and 18.02 mg S/g, respectively. Besides, the adsorption desulfurization activity can be recovered well by adopting simple thermal treatment.