| Title: | Enhanced removal efficiency of toluene over activated carbon under visible light |
| Author(s): | Saqlain S; Zhao S; Kim SY; Kim YD; |
| Address: | "Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea. Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea. Electronic address: ydkim91@skku.edu" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126317 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1873-3336 (Electronic) 0304-3894 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Toluene removal rates using activated carbon (AC) at various relative humidity (RH) levels (0%, 30%, 60%) were compared under dark and visible-light conditions. Light exposure significantly increased toluene-removal efficiency independent of RH. When AC was pre-treated with an optimal concentration of HNO(3), its toluene-removal efficiency was enhanced further with light, an effect that can be attributed to increased surface-area and porosity. Fourier-transform infrared analysis confirmed that exposure of HNO(3)-modified AC to light induced partial oxidation of toluene. Within visible-light range (380-650 nm), shorter wavelengths were more effective for toluene-removal compared with longer wavelengths. This suggests that hydroxyl groups formed on AC-surface under light strongly interact with aromatic rings of toluene, allowing for greater uptake of toluene. Moreover, AC can sustain its photo-activity when mixed with cement and cured, suggesting its potential applications in air-purifying building materials. An efficient and practical method for regeneration of spent AC is also demonstrated" |
| Keywords: | Activated carbon Humidity dependence Photo-induced oxidation Volatile organic compounds Wavelength dependence; |
| Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINESaqlain, Shahid Zhao, Shufang Kim, Soong Yeon Kim, Young Dok eng Netherlands 2021/06/14 J Hazard Mater. 2021 Sep 15; 418:126317. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126317. Epub 2021 Jun 4" |
