Trace ethylene adsorbents Ag/F-Z5(X) for improved preservation of fruits and vegetables: Enhanced adsorption and water resistance

Abstract

During the storage/transportation of fruits and vegetables, ethylene-induced over-maturation and spoilage is a serious problem. Currently developed ethylene adsorbents exhibit great potentials due to their low cost and high efficiency, but always lack of water resistance. Herein, we developed Ag/F-Z5(X) adsorbents via the modification of ZSM-5 with different amounts of NH4F followed by silver loading, which exhibits enhanced ethylene adsorption and water resistance. Among the samples, Ag/F-Z5(25) featured with the largest capacity (6.44 mg·g−1) and the best water resistance, achieving near-complete removal of trace ethylene (100 ppm) at room temperature. Based on the characterizations, NH4F modification induced a hierarchical structure within the ZSM-5 framework, concurrently enhancing surface acidity, increasing the proportion of Ag+, and improving the dispersion of metals in the adsorbents. These enhancements collectively contribute to enhanced adsorption and water resistance. Further, banana storage experiments confirmed the actual preservation ability of Ag/F-Z5(25) thanks to the better adsorption and water resistance than unmodified Ag/Z5. These findings offer meaningful insights for developing high-efficient and water-resistant adsorbents to remove trace ethylene, consequently mitigating food aste and enlarging the commercial value of agricultural products.