(338q) Performance of Metal-Impregnated Carbon Silica Composite Adsorbents for Air Purification

Performance and characterization studies have been carried out on newly synthesized carbon silica composite (CSC) materials impregnated with active metal sites for functionality. The composites have a nanoporous carbon phase inside the pores of MCM-41, a mesoporous silica, with active metal sites incorporated into the phases during synthesis. The characterization methods include XRD, XPS, adsorption isotherms, and breakthrough testing. The removal capacities were tested with various light toxic industrial chemicals in dry inert gas and in both dry and wet air to consider water and oxygen effects on adsorption and reactivity. Breakthrough capacity test results are compared with those for control samples, including BPL activated carbon, MCM-41, and unimpregnated CSC. The results show that these metal impregnated samples maintain the long range order of the MCM-41, have acceptable surface areas for adsorption, have reactive functionality, and can provide longer breakthrough times than the control samples.