Crude Oil Desulfurization by Polystyrene/Graphene Nanocomposite Membranes

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the desulfurization of the polystyrene nanofibers. Hence, different loadings of GNP, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.% GNP was incorporated into the polystyrene nanofibers using electrospinning technique. Several characteristics of the electrospun membranes were investigated. The obtained field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images confirmed the formation of uniform fibers and proper distribution of the particles in the electrospun structures. In addition, thinner fibers with smaller pore sizes were formed by addition of the GNPs into the nanofibrous mats. Moreover, the hydrophobic behavior reduced by increment of GNP content in the polystyrene nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) confirmed the interaction of the polymer chains with the loaded filler particles. Furthermore, introduction of the GNP nanofillers in the decrease of the crude oil sulfur content from 2.8% to 2.6% via addition of 0.5 wt.% of GNPs into the as-spun fibers. Further reduction of the sulfur content (to 1.8%) was also obtained by embedding 2 wt.% of GNPs. Overall, the obtained data manifested that the electrospinning composite membranes are good candidate material for removing sulfur from crude oil.