Elemental Mercury Adsorption by Cupric Chloride-Modified Mesoporous Carbon Aerogel

Mesoporous carbon aerogels (MCA) synthesized via aqueous polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde were modified by copper chloride and applied for adsorption removal of elemental mercury (Hg0) at a low temperature. The sorbents were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The results show that CuCl2-modified MCA exhibited good ability for Hg0 adsorption in the 40⁻160 °C temperature range, with Hg0 removal efficiency all above 95.0%. The Hg0 removal efficiency first increased and then decreased with the elevation of reaction temperature. It performed optimally at 80 °C with the highest Hg0 removal efficiency of 98.7%. XPS results indicate that covalent chlorines (C-Cl groups) play an important role in elemental mercury adsorption process. Hg0 is firstly captured in the form of oxidized mercury (Hg2+) and then reacts with C-Cl groups to form HgCl2.