Validation of a new and cost-effective method for mercury vapor removal based on silver nanoparticles coating on micro glassy balls

Exposure to mercury vapor (Hg0) causes serious health problem in human body. In this study, a novel and applied method based on solid gas phase extraction (SGPE) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) coating on micro glassy balls (MGB) was used for Hg0 removal from artificial air. In bench scale set up, the mercury vapor in air composition was produced by mercury vapor generation system (HgGS) and restored in polyethylene air bag (5 Li). In optimized conditions, the mercury vapor in air bag, passed through AgNPs-MGB and absorbed on it. Then, the mercury was completely desorbed from AgNPs by increasing temperature up to 245 °C and online determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). By proposed procedure, the method recovery and capacity of AgNPs were obtained 98% and 91.8 mg g−1, respectively. A simple, fast and low cost synthesis of AgNPs causes, the SGPE introduce as a cost-effective method for mercury vapor removal from air. Validation of methodology was confirmed using ultra trace mercury analyzer (MC3000).