| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149540 | Chemical Engineering Journal | 2012 | 7 Pages |
The toluene adsorption and desorption behavior of bare activated carbon fibers (ACFs) and those with a thin hydrophobic coating were studied. ACF surfaces were made hydrophobic by evaporating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on AFCs under atmospheric pressure condition. In the breakthrough curve of bare-ACF for toluene under humid air condition, the roll-up phenomenon towards toluene adsorption was observed. This was attributed to the substitution of the adsorbed toluene by water on ACF, leading to a rise of outlet concentration above the inlet concentration with a decrease in the amount of adsorbed toluene. Compared to bare-ACF, a superior selectivity and adsorption capacity for toluene was observed on the ACFs coated with PDMS. It is suggested that the PDMS-coating can increase the removal efficiency of ACF for toluene under humid air condition.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Provision of hydrophobicity to ACF by PDMS coating. ► Toluene adsorption and desorption behavior on bare-ACF and PDMS/ACFs. ► Superior selectivity of toluene adsorption on PDMS-coated ACF under humid air condition. ► Enhancement of adsorption capacity for toluene in the presence of humidity.
