Cellulose acetate filter rods tuned by surface engineering modification for typical smoke components adsorption

A series of filter rods (FRs) with sodium alginate (SA) modification were prepared by a simple one-pot pre-treatment surface modification method for the retention of typical smoke components. The influences of SA on the physico-chemical properties and adsorption behaviors (or retention characteristics) toward FRs were investigated in detail. Based on the results of XRD, BET, and SEM, it can be inferred that SA modification has no influences on compositions and textural properties of FRs. However, surface modification of FR by SA can greatly improve the hydrophilicity of FR, which is crucial for water retention. In situ diffuse Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrate that FR modified by 2 g·L−1 SA presents superior adsorption character for acetone. The differences in the adsorption or retention of water and acetone are ascribed to surface enriched functional groups tuned by surface engineering modification. By contrast, the modification of SA had no obvious effect on the adsorption of CO at room temperature. By contrast, at high temperature, low modification concentration is conducive to the CO2 and CO adsorption. It presents a good perspective for the rational design of new filter materials to reduce the release of harmful components in cigarette smoke.