1. JCCT
  2. Ch&ChT Vol. 20, No. 1, 2026
  3. 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

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

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Asmaa N. Al-Irhayim1, Neam H. Ahmed 2, Neam M.T. Al-Layla1, Abdelrahman B. Fadil1
Affiliation: 
1 Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Mosul, Majmoaa Street, 41002 Mosul, Iraq 2 Department of Forensic Evidence, College of Science, University of Mosul, Majmoaa Street, 41002 Mosul, Iraq abdelrahmanbasil@yahoo.com; abdelrahmanbasil@uomosul.edu.iq
DOI: 
https://doi.org/
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Keywords: 
date pits; activated biochar; CuO/ABC nanocomposite; adsorption elimination of DBT; adsorption isotherm and kinetics
Abstract: 
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.
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