Application of MCN-1 to the Adsorptive Removal of Indoor Formaldehyde

摘要

In this study, mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN-1) was synthesized by using mesoporous silica SBA-15 as a template and applied, for the first time, to the adsorption of 1-ppm formaldehyde, an important indoor air pollutant. Ammonia treatment was conducted at 700 degrees C for additional change in the surface characteristics of MCN-1 (i.e., increase in the quantity of nitrogen functional groups). The formaldehyde adsorption efficiencies of MCN-1 and ammonia treated MCN-1 (MCN-1-NH3) were compared with that of a nitrogen-free mesoporous carbon material (CMK-3). Adsorption experiments were conducted using a vaccumed 10-L aluminum bag. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption-desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The order of the formaldehyde adsorption efficiency of the adsorbents was MCN-1-NH3 > MCN-1 > CMK-3. The higher performance of MCN-1 than that of CMK-3 was attributed to the nitrogen containing functional groups. MCN-1-NH3 showed the highest adsorption efficiency due to the sufficient amount of nitrogen containing functional groups and large specific surface area resulting from the micropores formed during the ammonia treatment procedure.