Surface modification of γ-Al2O3 nano-particles with gum arabic and its applications in adsorption and biodesulfurization

Gamma-Al2O3 nano-particles were synthesized and modified using gum arabic (GA) to avoid agglomeration in aqueous solutions. Its effect on adsorptive desulfurization and biodesulfurization was also evaluated. Results showed that γ-Al2O3 nano-particles dispersed well in aqueous solutions after GA modification. The adsorptive desulfurization capacity of γ-Al2O3 nano-particles was increased from 0.56 mmol S/g (Al2O3) to 0.81 mmol S/g (Al2O3) after GA modification. Compared with unmodified γ-Al2O3 nano-particles, the biodesulfurization rate by adsorbing GA modified γ-Al2O3 nano-particles onto the surfaces of Pseudomonas delafieldii R-8 cells was increased from 17.8 mmol·kg− 1·h− 1 to 25.7 mmol·kg− 1·h− 1. This may be due to improvement in the dispersion and biocompatibility of γ-Al2O3 nano-particles after GA modification.