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

Abstract

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 (DPAC1-60) 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 DPACs 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 DPACs was as follows H3PO4 > H2SO4 > ZnCl2 > K2CO3. The large surface area was contrived with DpAC58 (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 DpAC58 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.