Liquid-assisted mechanochemical synthesis of an iron carboxylate Metal Organic Framework and its evaluation in diesel fuel desulfurization

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol. 213; pp. 14 - 21
• Main Authors: Pilloni, Martina, Padella, Franco, Ennas, Guido, Lai, Sarah, Bellusci, Mariangela, Rombi, Elisabetta, Sini, Franca, Pentimalli, Marzia, Delitala, Carla, Scano, Alessandra, Cabras, Valentina, Ferino, Italo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.09.2015
• Subjects: 4,6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene; Desulfurization; Liquid-assisted grinding; Metal-organic framework; Desulfurization; 4,6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene; Metal-organic framework; Liquid-assisted grinding
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.04.005

An iron (III) carboxylate Metal Organic Framework isostructural with MIL-100(Fe) was synthesized through a mechanochemical route. The material, rapidly obtained by liquid-assisted grinding at room temperature, was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetry, nitrogen physisorption and adsorption microcalorimetry of ammonia. For comparison, the features of a commercial iron trimesate produced via electrochemical route were investigated as well. The ball-milled sample showed better crystallinity, associated with good thermal stability, higher surface area and pore volume. The adsorption performance of both the ball-milled and commercial samples for the ambient-temperature removal of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) from 4,6-DMDBT)/n-heptane solutions simulating a diesel fuel was also investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity for the ball-milled sample resulted twice as big as that for the commercial one. An interpretation of the different adsorption behavior is proposed. [Display omitted] •Iron (III) carboxylate MOF is obtained by mechanochemical approach.•Liquid-assisted mechanochemical synthesis yields the MOF in 1 h at RT and atmospheric pressure.•Crystallinity and textural features are superior to those of a commercial sample.•4,6-Dimetyldibenzothiophene is adsorbed to a higher extent on the ball-milled sample.