Synthesis of Nano Copper Oxide Functionalized Date Pits- Derived Microporous Activated Biochar and Its Application in the Adsorptive Desulfurization of Model and Real Fuel Oils

This study explores the synthesis of activated biochar (ABC) from date pits and CuO-ABC nanocomposite for the adsorption elimination (AE) of model and commercial fuels. Outcomes deduced from FESEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, and the N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms confirmed the microporous structures of both adsorbents. The SABET as well as pore diameter of the ABC were, respectively, 765.52 m2/g and 1.79 nm, while the SABET and pore diameter of CuO-ABC nanocomposite were, respectively,621.57 m2/g and 1.99 nm, referring to the micro-porous structures of both adsorbents. The maximum AE % of 200 mg/L DBT solution by the ABC was 98.09% using 0.20 g of the ABC at 30 °C for 25 min. In comparison, the highest AE% of 200 mg/L DBT solution over the CuO-ABC nanocomposite was 99.24%, achieved with 0.15 g of nanocomposite at 30 °C for 20 min. The isothermal and kinetic studies revealed that the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the pseudo-2nd-order kinetic model best described the adsorption of DBT. Both adsorbents exhibited sustained activity across five consecutive cycles. The S-content of real gasoline was reduced to 80.12% and 84.22% using 0.60 g of both adsorbents at 30 °C for 120 min. This work presents cost-efficient adsorbents for desulfurization of a model desulfurization system and actual fuel oils at the industrial scale.