Reactivation of the spent Ni/ZnO-based adsorbent with enhanced initial activity for gasoline desulfurization

•Extra active sites for hydrogenolysis of CS bonds was introduced into the reactivated S-Zorb adsorbent.•The newly formed NiO over the reactivated adsorbent exhibit strong interaction with the support.•The initial desulfurization activity of the reactivated was improved significantly.•The reactivated S-Zorb adsorbent exhibit comparable desulfurization activity to the fresh adsorbent.