Fabrication of Cu^(+) sites in confined spaces for adsorptive desulfurization by series connection double-solvent strategy

Cu^(+)-containing materials have shown various application prospects especially in adsorption and catalysis,because they are versatile,nontoxic and low cost.To date,developing a mild and controllable approach for the fabrication of Cu^(+) sites has remained a pronounced challenge.Herein,we report a series connection double-solvent strategy(SCDS) for fabricating Cu^(+)sites within MIL-101(Cr),a typical metal–organic framework.By employing the SCDS in which vitamin C is chosen as the environmentally benign reducing agent,Cu^(2+) was incorporated in the pores and then transformed to Cu^(+) in the confined spaces.Compared to the conventional high-temperature autoreduction method conducted under harsh environment(700°C for 12 h) with a low Cu^(+) yield(less than 50%),SCDS can selectively reduce Cu^(2+)to Cu^(+) at room temperature without generating any CuO.The resulting Cu^(+)modified MIL-101(Cr) exhibits good desulfurization performance in view of both uptake and recyclability.