Adsorption of carbon disulfide on activated carbon modified by Cu and cobalt sulfonated phthalocyanine

A series of adsorbents were studied for removal efficiency of carbon disulfide (CS2) under micro-oxygen conditions. It was found that activated carbon modified by Cu and cobalt sulfonated phthalocyanine (CoSPc) denoted as ACCu–CoSPc showed significantly enhanced adsorption ability. Reaction temperature was found to be a key factor for adsorption, and 20 °C seems to be optimal for CS2 removal. Samples were analyzed by N2-BET, XRD, XPS, SEM–EDS and CO2-TPD. The characterization results demonstrated that large quantities of SO4 2− anions were formed and adsorbed in the reaction process. SO2, CS2 and COS were detected in the effluent gas generated from the temperature programmed desorption of ACCu–CoSPc–CS2. Therefore, it can be concluded that ACCu–CoSPc most likely acted as a catalyst in the adsorption/oxidation process on the surface of the impregnated sample. The generated sulfide and sulfur oxide can cover the active sites of adsorbents, resulting in pronounced reduction of adsorbent activity. Finally, the exhausted ACCu–CoSPc can be regenerated by thermal desorption.