Tailoring the nano-channel of ZrO2/SBA-15 mesoporous materials for efficiently trapping and degradation volatile nitrosamines

This article reports a bifunctionalized mesoporous ZrO2/SBA-15 materials prepared through a simplified one-pot synthesis, in which the aged sample was evaporated with mother solution under the self-adjusted pH condition. The results of low-angle XRD, HRTEM, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, in-situ 1H NMR and NH3-TPD tests confirmed the well-ordered hexagonal structure and large pore size of these composites along with the newly formed acidity and basicity. Temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) was employed to assess the catalytic function of ZrO2/SBA-15 composites on the degradation of carcinogenic volatile nitrosamines such as N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR). Due to the special interaction between the N–NO group of nitrosamines and the acidic site of mesoporous composite, NPYR could be efficiently trapped and then catalytic degraded at lower temperature, which enables this functional composite to be a new candidate for environment protection.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A bifunctionalized mesoporous composite ZrO2/SBA-15 is prepared by one-pot method. ► pH self-adjusting of the system facilitates the high framework insertion of zirconium. ► Framework Zr and high dispersed zirconia result in coexisting of acid-basic sites. ► ZrO2/SBA-15 is active for cracking carcinogenic nitrosamine at lower temperature. ► Strong interaction between acidic site and N–NO group leads cracking of nitrosamine.