The role of cobalt and molybdenum nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (AC) on the adsorptive desulfurization ability of sulfur-containing compounds was investigated under ambient conditions. The AC was first synthesized and activated, followed by incorporation of the cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo) and both Co and Mo nanoparticles. The adsorption activity parameters of the developed composites were determined using surface characterization and N-2 physisorption techniques. The prepared composites were evaluated for simultaneous adsorption of sulfur compounds from fuels. The AC/CoMo composite showed better adsorption properties than pure AC, AC/Co and AC/Mo composites for the removal of thiophene (T), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT), 5-methyl-1-benzothiophene (MBT), 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) and 4-methyldibenzothiophene (MDBT). The order of the thiophene compounds removal was found to be Thiophene < BT < DBT < MBT <= MDBT <= DMDBT. The enhanced desulfurization performance of the AC/CoMo composite was attributed to the increase in the surface area achieved through impregnation of both Co and Mo. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.