Theoretical removal study of gas BTEX onto activated carbon produced from Digitalis purpurea L. biomass.

Exposure to BTEX concentrations may have a remarkable influence on human health because of their existence in indoor air. It is the only solution to remove BTEX from the environment by either ventilation or filtering. Activated carbon is the primary carbon-rich material for the BTEX pollution control strategy. In this study, Digitalis purpurea L. biomass as lignocellulosic materials was selected as a common substance in nature and carbonization-appropriate processing. The activated carbons (D_PAC1-60) were prepared from the pyrolysis of Digitalis purpurea L. biomass at 500–900 °C by chemical activation with Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), Potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), respectively. The D_PACs structure enrichment was targeted with several conditions (temperature, chemical reagents, etc.). Under the same conditions, the order in which the compared chemicals increased the surface area of D_PACs was as follows H₃PO₄ > H₂SO₄ > ZnCl₂ > K₂CO₃. The large surface area was contrived with D_pAC58 (1753.5 m²/g) at 700 °C by H₃PO₄ activation. The adsorption capacity of BTEX was reached 162 mg/g at 25 °C and 1500 ppm. Consequently, the study revealed that the prepared D_pAC58 from Digitalis purpurea L. biomass is suitable for the removal of BTEX from indoor air. The suggestions and prospects for future research were proposed carbon-based materials for indoor air pollutant-removal applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]