Surface Characterization Studies of Silver-Titania Adsorbents

Adsorptive desulfurization using silver-titania adsorbents is effective at selectively removing sulfur containing heterocyclic compounds from JP5 fuel.  Molecular information on the surface reactivity of the active sites involved in adsorptive separation is necessary to understand the mechanism of adsorption.  A thorough understanding of the surface structure, adsorbates, and the bonding interactions will assist in the development of an adsorbent with a greater capacity for sulfur removal.  It is hypothesized that the surface adsorption site involves a silver titanate complex. This theory is supported by XPS studies of the atomic ratio of Ag to Ti which shows Ti is a function of Ag in monolayer equivalent of Ag.  TPD/TPRS was also performed to elucidate the desorption pathway of the adsorbates.  The information gained will be discussed and is useful to optimize multi-cycle regenerability.