Mesoporous magnesium oxide and its composites: Preparation, characterization, and removal of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

• Mesoporous MgO, MgO·SiO2 and MgO·Fe2O3 were synthesized using an aerogel method.
• Their reactivity and sorption of 2-CEES were evaluated by breakthrough experiments.
• Adding Fe2O3 to MgO led to improved reactivity, but decreased sorption capacity.
• Adding SiO2 to MgO contributed to enhanced surface area and sorption capacity.

Magnesium oxide and its composites with Fe2O3 or SiO2 particles were prepared by an aerogel method for the removal of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) under ambient condition. Their sorption capacity and reactivity were evaluated by breakthrough experiments using 2-CEES of 0.26 μg/mL in N2 flow. The surface area and sorption capacity of aerogel MgO (AP-MgO) were about five times greater than those of commercial MgO. All of the prepared materials could decompose 2-CEES at 25 °C with different conversion degrees. The reactivity of MgO·Fe2O3 composites was higher than that of AP-MgO and MgO·SiO2. On the other hand, the increased surface area, imparted by the addition of SiO2, led to the enhanced sorption capacity (49.3 mg/g). The order of sorption capacity was MgO·SiO2 > AP-MgO > MgO·Fe2O3, but the order of reactivity was MgO·Fe2O3 > AP-MgO > MgO·SiO2.

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