Noncovalently functionalized graphene oxide/graphene with imidazolium-based ionic liquids for adsorptive removal of dibenzothiophene from model fuel

摘要

Graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO) were functionalized with 1-methyl-3-octyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Omim][PF6]), 1-methyl-3-octyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and 1-methyl-3-octyl-imidazolium thiocyanate ionic liquids through a non-covalent functionalizing procedure. Different characterization techniques including XRD, AFM, FTIR, SEM/EDX, TGA, XPS, and RAMAN spectroscopy were used to verify the success of functionalization. The functionalized graphenes and graphene oxides were then used as adsorbents to remove dibenzothiophene from a model fuel having decane as the solvent. Among the prepared adsorbents, the functionalized graphene with the ionic liquid of [Omim][PF6] exhibited the highest adsorption capacity of 6.5 mg/g. The results showed that functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide improves their adsorption capacity in comparison to those of graphene (3.2 mg/g) and graphene oxide (2.25 mg/g).