Adsorptive desulfurization of transportation fuels over nickel based adsorbents derived from layered double hydroxides

New Ni-based adsorbents derived from hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors were developed. The LDH materials were represented by a general formula: [M(II)_1-xM(III)_x(OH)²]^{x +}[(A^n-)_x/nyH₂O]^x- , where M(II) = Mg, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, etc.; Mn(III) = Al, Fe, Cr etc.; and A^n- is an interlayer anion such as CO₃^2-. A new series of NiZnAl-mixed oxides with different Ni/Zn/Al atomic ratios were synthesized and their adsorption performance in removing organo sulfur compounds from transportation fuels (diesel and jet fuel) was studied. These adsorbents exhibited better performance in the desulfurization of jet fuel compared to diesel fuel.