Fe single-atom adsorbents based on C, O co-doped hexagonal boron nitride for enhanced adsorption desulfurization

Adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and selectivity have long been the pursuit of researchers in the field of adsorptive desulfurization. In this study, a novel single-atom adsorbent comprised of iron (Fe) integrated into C, O co-doped hexagonal boron nitride (Fe-BNCO) has been successfully synthesized. This unique material demonstrates outstanding adsorption capabilities, boasting an adsorption capacity of 49.7 mg S/g and excellent selectivity for adsorptive desulfurization. Notably, this adsorption capacity is 48.6 % higher than that of pure BNCO. The incorporation of the Fe element into boron nitride materials induces a reduction in crystallinity and an increase in specific surface area, resulting in a higher number of available adsorption sites. Combining experimental analysis with theoretical calculations, we propose that the exceptional adsorption performance of Fe-BNCO can be attributed to the formation of S-Fe coordination interaction, while maintaining the existing π-π interactions. This study advances our understanding of adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and selectivity, providing valuable insights for the field of adsorptive desulfurization.