Non-invasive route for desulfurization of fuel using infrared-assisted MIL-53(Al)-NH2 containing fabric

[Display omitted] Fuel purification from sulfur containing contaminants (SCCs) is concerned in the last decades. Herein, non-invasive and innovative method was carried out for synthesis of metal organic framework (MOF)@fabric composites to be applied in removing of thiophene from liquid fuel. MIL-53(Al)-NH2 as a type of MOF was selected to be in-situ prepared within fabrics (cotton & wool) by infrared-assisted technique. The contents of MOF/Al in-grown within fabrics were 81.97/9.92 mg/g for cotton and 95.70/11.58 mg/g for wool. Scanning microscope and X-ray confirmed that fluffy microcrystalline MIL-53(Al)-NH2 powder was formed directly within fabrics structure. The prepared MOF and MOF@fabric composites were exploited in adsorption of thiophene from n-heptane. Infrared spectra approved the presence of thiophene bands [CH, 833 cm−1 and CS, 706 cm−1] onto the applied materials, after adsorption. The adsorption of thiophene onto the composites found to obey Langmuir isotherm and second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacities were followed the order of MIL-53(Al)-NH2 (739.0 mg/g) > MIL-53(Al)-NH2@fabric (469.4–516.5 mg/g) ⋙ fabric (83.1–153.8 mg/g). After 4 restoration cycles, the adsorption capacities were lowered by percentage of 28.4–43.6, due to the decrement in MOF contents. The prepared MIL-53(Al)-NH2@fabric composites could be widely applicable in the cleaning of liquid fuel from SCCs with high efficient.