Microporous three dimensional ordered zeolite-templated carbon for efficient removal of VOCs: Experimental study and molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract

Zeolite-templated carbon (ZTC), a three dimensional ordered carbon material, was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition for use as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A series of ZTC samples with different deposition temperatures and deposition times were evaluated, and the effect of O2, SO2, and H2O on VOCs adsorption was studied. ZTC prepared at 600 °C for 7 h had less defects and more graphite carbons, exhibited the largest specific surface area of 2011.5 m2/g, and also showed the best performance with a toluene, benzene, and m-xylene adsorption capacity of 202.5 mg/g, 147.4 mg/g, and 206.4 mg/g, respectively. O2 can promote the removal ability in the first 20 min, but then which begins to develop in the direction of inhibiting the removal ability. SO2 and H2O decreased the toluene, benzene, and m-xylene adsorption capacity due to the competition·H2O has the most obvious inhibitory effect on the removal capacity. The simulation results also demonstrated that toluene is mainly adsorbed in the micropores, and the addition of H2O, SO2, and O2 will eventually affect the diffusion and adsorption process of toluene.