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ABSTRACT
A specific type of material, activated carbon fiber (ACF), was modified by SiO2, and the final products ACF-x were obtained as ACF-12.5, ACF-20, ACF-40, and ACF-80 according to different dosages of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The modified material on the ACF surface had a significant and smooth cover layer with low content of silica from scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. The modified ACF-x showed the stronger hydrophobicity, thermal stability, and adsorption capacity, which had almost no effect in the presence of water vapor and no destruction in multiple cycles. ACF-20 was proven as the most efficient adsorbent in humid conditions. The dual-function system composed of the regenerative adsorbents and the combustion catalyst would be efficient in consecutive toluene adsorption/oxidation cycles, in which the combustion catalyst was prepared by the displacement reaction of H2PtCl6 with foam Ni. Therefore, the adsorption/catalytic oxidation could be a promising technique in the indoor air purification, especially in the case of very low volatile organic compound (VOC; toluene) concentration levels.
Implications: Exploring highly effective adsorptive materials with less expensive costs becomes an urgent issue in the indoor air protection. ACF-20 modified by SiO2 with Pt/Ni catalysts shows stronger hydrophobicity, thermal stability, and adsorption capacity. This dual-function system composed of the regenerative materials and the combustion catalyst would be a promising technique in the indoor air purification, especially in the case of removal of very low concentration of toluene.
Funding
The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support of National Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2016YFC0204301).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Zhen-Zhen Xie
Zhen-Zhen Xie and Lin Wang are master’s degree students in the College of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China.
Lin Wang
Zhen-Zhen Xie and Lin Wang are master’s degree students in the College of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China.
Ge Cheng
Lei Shi is a professor in the College of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China.
Lei Shi
Ge Cheng is a lecturer in Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China.
Yi-Bo Zhang
Yi-Bo Zhang is an associate research fellow in Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, People’s Republic of China.