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Abstract Ultra deep desulfurization of liquid fuels such as gasoline/diesel has attracted considerable attention of modern clean fuel research due to strict environmental regulations. Apart from that, SO x produced during combustion, poison the catalytic converter and exhaust emission system. Comparing to conventional catalytic and hydrodesulfurization techniques, adsorptive method for removal of sulfur bearing compounds e.g. thiophene derivatives is a promising approach which does not require hydrogen gas and high temperature. In this study, we used nickel sulfide nanoparticles incorporated poly(methyl methacrylate)-zirconia membranes as potential affinity material for adsorptive extraction of dibenzothiophene from n-hexane. The functionality and surface morphology of synthesized material was examined by Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, respectively. The quantitative data regarding adsorptive removal of dibenzothiophene was determined by monitoring the shift in absorbance values of standard solutions before and after treating with synthesized material under ambient conditions. Nickel sulphide nanoparticles exhibited suitable rebinding response for removal of dibenzothiophene down to 1 ppm due to affinity interactions which is useful concerning ultra deep desulfurization. Finally, nickel sulphide nanoparticles were incorporated in poly(methyl methacrylate)-zirconia membrane which showed potential application for adsorptive desulfurization of dibenzothiophene at ambient conditions.