Abstract
The SnSb intermetallic compound was synthesized by chemical precipitation with NaBH4 as a reducer, and then it was applied in the electrodesulfurization of Saudi crude oil as functional desulfurization material. The prepared SnSb intermetallic compound was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Additionally, the raw material and treated oil were analyzed through gas chromatography pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the SnSb intermetallic compound was restored with NaBH4 with a larger particle size, lower surface area, lower crystallinity, ancrbrickshaped?" structure. The desulfurization efficiency for sulfo compounds with a small molecular weight is higher. It should be especially noted that benzonaphthothiophene was hardly removed by traditional hydrogenation desulfurization, whereas it could be subtracted partly via electrochemical adsorption desulfurization. The proposed desulfurization mechanism would be attributed to the adsorption reactions on the surface of the SnSb intermetallic compound.