Enhanced Dibenzothiophene Capture with Multimetal–Organic Frameworks in the Presence of Benzene and Octane

To enhance dibenzothiophene (DBT) capture performance, we innovatively synthesized a series of novel multimetal–organic frameworks (MMOFs) by the incorporation of Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ within one structure. Those novel desulfurizers have been fully characterized and their structural changes further compared in terms of nitrogen adsorption–desorption, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and so forth. The DBT capture properties with as-synthesized MMOFs in different simulated fuels were evaluated through a series of batch tests. All further investigations demonstrated that the Ag/Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC exhibited a remarkably high sulfur capacity attributed to the associative effects of π-complexation and acid–base interaction. Additionally, based on sieving and inertia mechanisms, this adsorbent possessed an extremely high affinity for DBT capture in the presence of benzene and octane. Especially, the Ag/Zn/Ni/Cu-BTC could sustain an outstanding desulfurization property after the fifth cycle. Our study opens up a new perspective for the design of desirable MMOF materials, promoting their potential development in the aspects of adsorption desulfurization.