V^sub 2^O^sub 5^-polyimide hybrid material: synthesis, characterization, and sulfur removal properties in fuels

We describe the synthesis of a new sorbent material for desulfurization of gasoline, which is composed of polyimide (PI) and vanadium pentoxide via the solution direct-dispersing method. The highly porous PI-V^sub 2^O^sub 5^ hybrid materials, containing different concentrations of V^sub 2^O^sub 5^ ranging from 1 to 10 wt%, were prepared from pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine, and vanadium pentoxide. The produced PI-V^sub 2^O^sub 5^ composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and thermal analysis techniques. The effect of V^sub 2^O^sub 5^ on the sulfur removal properties as well as the thermal stability and porous structure of composites were investigated. Then the obtained material was investigated to determine their sorption characteristics for sulfur compounds from fuels. By use of this material, 91 wt% of the sulfur content was removed from sulfur-containing standard oil. An economic sensitive and simple method for the removal and separation of sulfur in fuel samples, using an PI-V^sub 2^O^sub 5^ packed mini chromatographic column, was established.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]